Once I was certain they were gone, I stepped out from the shadow of the wall. But the moment I took a single step forward, my entire body collapsed and I fell to my knees.
The headache hadn't faded it had gotten worse.
I pressed my hand against my head. I couldn't stand. I could barely even lift my head. Everything around me was spinning. I stayed like that for I don't know how long. Maybe minutes, maybe hours. Eventually, the pain started to ease, little by little.
When the headache was nearly gone, I tried to stand, leaning against the wall for support. My legs could hardly hold me, but I forced myself to move. The smell of blood hit my nose instantly mixed with the scent of burned wood.
I walked forward until I spotted the cook sitting on the floor, his back resting against the wall. His skin was completely burned, his eyes half closed, as if he was barely keeping them open. I approached him, and when he saw me, his eyes widened.
