Flames (Oneshot)
Flames (Oneshot)
There was smoke; so much smoke. The sky was blackened with the fumes, and the only pigment of color were the orange flames licking at the edges of the dark blanket overhead. The fire was getting angry-it wanted to play. There were several people screaming, running around and lashing out at police officials trying to contain the scene.
Police Chief Choi Siwon broke through the traumatic haze with ease, an authoritative aura surrounding him, and made his way to the front-lines where the firefighters were attempting to tame the flames.
It was a chance and I took it, blocking his path and demanding answers. Questions tumbled out of my mouth with expert ease, my professionalism as a journalist taking over before I could fully comprehend the situation at hand.
He didn't appear happy, and the grim hard line on his face was enough for me to understand.
“People are dying. What more is there to say?”
The excitement in my heart dwindled down to nothing. Yes, people were dying-people were dead.
He brushed past me smoothly, continuing his short walk to the crowd of firefighters. I followed him eagerly, hoping for some answers. He caught the attention of one of the crew members, and asked him for a head count.
“476, the number of total tenants,” He explained shortly.
“How many made it out?” Chief Siwon inquired.
The firefighter hesitated.
A boy casually leaning against the yellow caution stands around the perimeter of the burning building answered,“348.”
We all stared at him for a good moment, taking in the stained and scorched school uniform, and the way his hand was clenched around a yellow caution stand. He was staring blankly at the amber monster eating the building.
We all understood. He was waiting for someone. He was waiting for a miracle.
“A family member?” I asked.
He didn't say anything at first, eyes still watching the building and calculating.
“A close friend,” He said by way of explanation. “One of your officers barged in there,” He glanced at his watch. “Half an hour ago.”
The Chief straightened, clearly bewildered. “Hankyung's in there?!”
My earlier excitement returned at the officer's name. Hankyung was a very new and young officer on the police force in the area. He was known for his dramatic rescues and his strategic plans. There was hope-he was our hope.
“Wouldn't know - the name doesn't ring a bell.” The boy said offhandedly, shrugging his shoulders and keeping his eyes trained on the fire.
The Chief scowled and turned back to the fireman at his side. “Status report?”
The man opened his mouth to respond, but the crackle of his radio cut him off. “Officer Hankyung - fire's getting stronger. It's taken out at least over half of the building's inner support. It's going to cave in!” A male voice screamed on the other side of the radio.
“Hankyung, what's happening?! Where are you?!” The Chief yelled, grabbing the fireman by his uniform, and bringing the radio closer to his mouth to yell at his officer.
There was a short scream on the other side, and then the line went dead.
Chief Choi released the fireman and barked out orders to the team, fear painting his face.
The high school boy lazily glanced my way. “How much time?”
“Not enough.” I said, risking a glance at the building and realizing that it was going to cave at any moment.
He nodded his head, took another glance at the building, and shrugged off his jacket. “Hold this - someone will be coming back for it later,” He said as explanation. I took the blue jacket, brow knitted with confusion. “What are you - ”
There was an explosion, debris from the side of the building pelting down on us like a rain shower. Chief Choi raised an arm to block the burning pieces from hitting my body.
It took a while but when the debris had finally cleared and we looked up, we saw only the dark silhouette of the high school boy disappearing into the building. Chief Choi took off running, leaving me behind in the vicinity, and yelling for the boy to stop the entire way.
The count raised to 350, and it stayed at 350 for nearly another half hour.
I stayed and watched the scene unfold, my own heart playing the soundtrack of impending fear in my ears.
The flames were getting bolder, wrapping around every inch of the apartment building. Several firefighters had to step back a good few feet to avoid getting attacked.
I held my breath and at last, we saw them. There were two people coming into view, running our way and quickly. It was Chief Siwon and a tall lanky boy with red hair.
The red head had his face pressed into the chest of the Chief, and the Chief had ducked his head into the sleeve of his uniform to avoid the smog.
I ran to one side of the ring of yellow 'CAUTION' stands, making a break in the formation to let through the two men. They both ran through the opening, collapsing on the ground due to their rigorous efforts. The red haired boy was coughing up a storm, hand pressed to his mouth and tears running down his ash covered face.
The Chief wasn't off any better, but there were no tears spotting his face. There was only black soot and mortification.
“Hankyung,” He coughed out. “Where is Hankyung?!” He yelled.
I spun around and glanced at the building's single opening, relief filling my core when I saw another face emerging from the black smoke. It was Hankyung.
“He's coming - he's on his way.” I promise the Chief.
The red headed boy on the ground met my eyes, and released a pitiful and teary moan. “What about Kyu? Where is Kyu?” He begged me.
I didn't understand who he was referring to, but the face of the high schooler from before surfaced my mind. “I don't know. I really don't know,” I said. Concern, realization, and denial - the three emotions that flashed across his face when what I said had settled in. I looked away, turning back to the latest newcomer. It was painful to look at the red head's face.
Officer Hankyung came to a stop before us, hands on his knees and wheezing.
“Kyu?” The red haired boy called out.
Officer Hankyung sucked in a large breath and spoke “He didn't make it. He's not going to make it,” He apologized to the character writhing on the floor.
“No...” The red haired man whispered, completely stunned. Another explosion shook the ground, and there was a soft grumble of falling stone. The building was coming down.“NO!”
The building fell, wails filling the air, and debris covering every inch. Yet, just as quickly as it had started, it stopped, and silence filled the air. The only noises were the weak wails of the tenants and the sound of police sirens. It was over. The fire was gone.
But the red haired boy, who I was informed by the police was named Zhou Mi, was still crying. I sat down next to him on the ground, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “What was his name?” I asked the sobbing boy, throwing the blue jacket from before over Zhou Mi's bony shoulders.
“Kyuhyun. His name was Kyuhyun,” He sobbed out.
The world looked blacker than before, and slowly I started to cry too as I stared at the rumble that lay before us, the only remains of the building from before.
On July 19 three brave men ran into the burning apartment building of St. Mary's Street.
Only two of those three men made it out.
July 19, 2011, age 17 and on the road to becoming an aspiring singer, Cho Kyuhyun left to sing with the angels.