After borrowing a thick rope from the maintenance crew, I slung it across my body. Seeing my intentions, the neighbors began to object.
One shouted, “Caroline, you can’t do this! It’s too dangerous!”
“Yeah, just wait a bit longer. The fire department will be here any minute!”
“Let me go instead! You shouldn’t risk your life like this.”
Hearing their worried voices, I clenched my teeth. Emery might be out there enjoying his life right now, but Luna and Liam were my responsibility. They called me “Mom,” and I could not let them down.
I smiled gently and shook my head. Without hesitation, I began climbing the building while using the iron window frames and air conditioning units for support.
As I steadied myself on a third-floor unit, a sudden explosion erupted above me. Thick, black smoke billowed out. The air around me was scorching.
I instinctively recoiled as burning debris flew past my face. Furniture fragments crashed to the ground with a loud thud, causing the crowd below to scatter in fear.
“Caroline, come down now! Don’t go any higher!”
“You’re important too. Please, don’t risk your life like this!”
Their pleas echoed below, but I simply smiled in response. I took a deep breath to steel myself before pressing forward.
Soon, I finally reached the fourth-floor window. One more step, and I would be at our balcony. I reached out for the metal railing but jerked my hand back instantly as searing heat burned my skin.
Within seconds, blisters formed on my palms. A neighbor noticed and attempted to throw a pair of gloves at me, but the distance was too great.
Determined, I bit down on the pain and gripped the railing tightly. Ignoring the stabbing heat, I used my momentum to leap onto the balcony and climb inside. Cheers erupted from the crowd below as they celebrated my small victory.
