The hallway was burning in heavy fire. People panicked, screaming in fear.
The fire was expanding rapidly into the main hall, like it was burning on fuel.
"What happened?"
"Why is everything covered in fire?"
"How do we get out?"
"Someone call the fire service!" a man yelled.
…
…
"There is no signal on the cellphone," another man replied.
"What?"
"Seriously?"
Everyone started checking their phones.
"It's true."
"Oh my god, what's happening…"
People panicked in terror.
"Mommy…" a child cried.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen," his mother hugged him, trying to comfort him.
Noor stared at them for a while.
"Noor," Sameer called.
"Yes."
"We have to do something."
(He's right… but what can we do? I have to think.)
Badump.
Badump.
Noor's heart was beating fast. His mind was messed up by thoughts as he watched people in terror.
"The hallway is the main entrance, so there must be an alternative exit," Ashraf suggested from behind.
"He's right, we have to check it," Sameer ran.
Noor and Ashraf followed him.
But people were already crowding there. They stood frozen.
"What is happening? Why are they stan—" Noor started, but froze when he saw what was in front of him.
"What the hell…" Sameer and Ashraf were shocked.
The exit door was covered with explosives.
"We're going to die…" a person said, shaking in fear.
"Everyone get away from the door!" Sameer yelled.
"Let's get back to the main hall!"
"Hurry!" Ashraf added.
Huff.
Huff.
Noor ran along with them.
(Wait a minute… does that mean the person we saw earlier was behind this?
Big explosion. No signal. Alternate exit covered in explosives.
Now I can see it clearly. It wasn't an illusion.
But how can we get out of this?
There are women, children, elders… all their lives are in danger.)
"Everyone listen!" Ashraf yelled.
"Do not try to get close to the exit door. It's covered in explosives—enough to make the whole building collapse."
…
…
"What?"
"Wait, does that mean it's a terrorist attack?"
"Oh my god…" a woman cried.
…
…
"Somebody help meee!"
"Ahhhh—ARRRGH!"
A person appeared from the hallway. His body was caught on fire.
"Someone help…" he rolled on the ground.
Some people took off their jackets, trying to put out the fire by covering him—but it wasn't helping.
"Oh my god…"
"Oh no…"
Some people covered their eyes. A woman collapsed.
The fire kept burning the man even more.
"Ahhhh!" he screamed in pain.
Fissshhhh—
PSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHH—!!
Noor was holding a fire extinguisher. He sprayed it over the man's body.
Some people dragged the man away to a safe place, far from the fire.
"Guys, I brought more!" Noor pointed at the trolleys filled with fire extinguishers.
"Damn… I completely forgot about that," Sameer said.
Grab.
Click.
PSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHH—!!
They started putting out the fire that had reached the main hall.
Hmm… Noor scanned the crowd, trying to find Jenne and Ria.
(Where did they go? Did they escape?)
(No… it's not the right time to think about them.
They have superpowers. They can save themselves easily.
But there are students from my class… children.
They're frozen in fear and shock. They can't protect themselves.
I have to do something.
At least Suvro is safe since he went out earlier.)
Sigh.
Noor exhaled heavily.
He carefully looked around.
The main hall was big enough to hold more than 300 people.
There were around 100 people inside now.
The roof had glass sections instead of concrete. They looked openable if pushed—but they were almost 50 feet above.
There were artifacts like boats and bridge-like platforms hanging above.
"Guys, I have a plan," Noor called.
"What plan?" Sameer asked.
Ashraf stood still.
"We have to climb our way out and call for help," Noor said.
"The fire service may have already arrived," Sameer muttered.
"But the hallway is very big. It will take them a long time to reach here.
Also, there might be people stuck in other parts of the museum," Ashraf added.
…
…
"Phone signals aren't working. We have a lot of fire extinguishers, but that won't be enough," Noor said, staring at the burning hallway.
"This doesn't look like a normal fire," Ashraf whispered.
"Because it's burning on gas," the injured man muttered.
"What?"
They froze.
"But how would you know?" Sameer squinted.
"I've worked here as a security guard for more than fifteen years…"
Cough. Cough.
"Before this museum was built, there was a gas plant beside it. Also a gas well.
It belonged to a private company but was shut down due to licensing issues.
They removed the plant, but some pipes and connections were left underground.
Somehow it got reopened. The fire is burning on leaking gas…"
He spoke while breathing heavily.
"Okay, okay. Don't talk much—you're badly injured," Sameer tried to calm him.
"Your chest and back are severely burned. We need to get you to a hospital," Noor said desperately.
Cough. "Arrgh…"
"That won't be necessary…" the man looked down.
"It's nearly impossible to escape this hellhole.
The fire is burning on endless gas…"
"My husband…"
"No—my child also…"
A woman cried in despair.
"What happened?" Noor and Sameer ran toward her.
"My husband took my four-year-old daughter to the washroom… I think they're in danger…" sob.
"Where is it located?" Noor asked.
"Right side of the hallway…" sob.
"My god… it's impossible to rescue them."
"That place is already covered in heavy fire," a man said from the side.
Noor stood silent.
"Ashraf, give me your bag."
"O-Okay… here."
Noor emptied the bag.
"Noor, wait—what are you doing?" Ashraf asked, confused.
Noor placed two fire extinguishers into the bag and held one in his hand.
(They're small enough to fit… but that also means they'll run out quickly.)
"Noor… don't tell me you're thinking of rescuing them…"
"Ashraf, move," Noor said heavily.
"Bro, listen—you'll lose your life. Please stop," Ashraf's eyes watered.
"Don't worry about me, buddy. I won't go down that easily."
"Noor… what happened to you?" Ashraf cried.
"I just got stronger," Noor gave an aggressive smile.
"I'll go with you," Sameer picked up fire extinguishers too.
"Okay, then let me—"
"Ashraf, take this."
Noor handed him an extinguisher.
"What…?" Ashraf stared.
"Don't let the fire enter the main hall. You're the leader here."
"…Okay, boss," Ashraf replied, wiping his tears.
…
…
Noor and Sameer stood in front of the hallway engulfed in fire.
There was no empty space—only fire.
"Sameer… are you ready?" Noor asked.
"I'm ready when you are."
"Okay then…"
Noor gritted his teeth.
Sweat dripped from his forehead.
"Ready."
"Steady."
They pointed the nozzles toward the flames.
"Go—"
PSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHH—!!