Chap. 5: Shadows and Smoke

The tunnel felt like a breath held too long—dark, tight, and heavy with silence. Every step echoed sharply against the damp stone, making my heart race louder than the noise outside.

Ms. Linley’s flashlight flickered, casting quick, jumping shadows that danced like ghosts along the walls. My skin crawled, every nerve screaming that danger was close.

Ethan’s hand was clammy in mine, his grip tight enough to hurt but comforting all the same. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the panic rising in my chest.

Ahead, the tunnel twisted and narrowed until we had to squeeze through a jagged crack in the rock. Sharp edges scraped my arms, and dirt fell into my hair. I tried not to cough, but the stale, dusty air burned my throat.

A sudden crack above made me freeze.

“Did you hear that?” Ethan whispered, eyes wide.

Before I could answer, a low rumble shook the tunnel. Dust and tiny stones rained down from the ceiling.

“Move!” Ms. Linley hissed, pulling us forward.

We scrambled through the narrow passage, breath ragged, the tunnel suddenly feeling like it could collapse at any second.

Behind us, a distant roar echoed—a sound like the forest itself breaking apart.

We burst out of the tunnel into a thick, smoky clearing. The fire was still close—red-orange flames licking at dry leaves and blackened branches.

Smoke clawed at my throat and eyes. I coughed until my ribs ached.

“Keep moving!” Ms. Linley shouted, shielding her face with her sleeve.

The ground was uneven and littered with fallen trees. Every step was a risk of twisting an ankle or falling.

Suddenly, a sharp crack split the air—a tree limb breaking right above us.

I dove forward just as it crashed behind us, sending a shower of sparks and ash.

“We’re not safe here!” I gasped, heart pounding like a drum.

Ethan stumbled beside me, coughing violently. “I can’t… breathe…”

“Focus on me!” I grabbed his arm, forcing him to keep moving.

We ran blindly through the smoke, guided only by the fading light and the faint sound of rushing water somewhere ahead.

The smoke was thicker now, and I felt panic clawing inside me, choking my prayers.

But then—through the haze—I heard it. Water.

A steady, soothing sound. A promise.

With every ounce of strength left, we pushed toward it, lungs burning, legs trembling.

And finally, we stumbled onto the banks of a cool, flowing stream.

I fell to my knees, gulping fresh air and sobbing with relief.

Ethan dropped beside me, tears streaming down his ash-covered face.

Ms. Linley joined us, exhausted but alive. “We made it… we’re not done, but we made it.”

I looked up at the smoky sky and whispered, “Thank You, God. You didn’t leave us.”

Even in the fire, even in the dark—I knew He was with us.

To be continued…