Write Club Prompt #32

Lampshades on Fire

Three in the morning and I wake up to the smoke alarm blaring. All these years and I never heard a real fire alarm. I just assume it’s a false alarm and go to shut it off. Adrenaline floods my veins once I smell the smoke and taste the acrid smoke. It’s real. My phone is already in my hand and I can’t remember what number to call. I think better and decide I should get outside first.

Dropping to the floor I crawl to the front door and put on my shoes. My throat starts to ache with the coughing. I can’t control it now. I pull the door open and reach back for my briefcase and apron by the door.

Now I am tasting the cold night air. Still coughing. I press the emergency call button on my phone and watch as everything else burns.