The library was on fire. Sweat dripped down my neck. My hair was singed in places and my hands were turned soot-like. My eyes watered and I covered my mouth to escape the smoke. But the efforts were futile. Smoke still entered my lungs and I was no closer to finding the exit than I was a few minutes ago. The satchel slung on my shoulder wielded several heavy books. Books that I needed to save. But I couldn't even save myself.

The baby griffin with its hurt paw was in my arms shielding itself from the fire but the scorch still burned it. The griffin screeched for its mother and I was almost sorry for it if not for the fact that I was about to collapse from lack of oxygen. I tried consoling the griffin but my knees and my vision was bordered with black. 'I'm going to die right here.' With that final thought, my eyes closed, my breath faltered and I thought my heart stood still. But it didn't.

My heart was still beating and I was still alive. I resolved in my mind that I wasn't going to go this way, I was going to fight for my life and if death came, I would fight that too. But I won't go down without it.

My eyes opened and I saw the baby griffin with its head drooped on my lap. I got scared for a second that it might have died but its tiny pulsating heart brought life to me and I stood on my shaky knees. I tore off a piece of my shirt and wet it with a few mouthfuls of water from my canister. I tied it around my mouth and navigated the exit by crawling on the floor. My forearms and bare feet were scratched, scraped, and bloodied. I slithered with the baby griffin tied onto my back. After fifteen minutes however I began to lose hope and wished I could've died when I had given up. But a second glance in the direction made me realize a door was concealed there. I crawled as fast as I could towards the door and pushed it but the door wouldn't budge. Just then, a huge column of burning wood came down upon us and I said my last prayers and pushed the door with all my might. I was thrown in the direction of the push by my own force.

Clean, pure air filled my lungs as I began to cough violently into the floor. Two pairs of arms pushed me upright and released the baby griffin from my back. I looked up to see the most loathing pair of eyes staring back into my hazy-visioned ones. 'Where are the books, Bree? I hope you didn't leave them inside to burn.' she asks.

'Wh-' My mouth croaked from the dryness before the guards made me swallow a few gulps of water and anti-drying pills. I tried to speak again. 'What-What in the world is wrong with you? I came out of there nearly dead with the griffin and all you do is ask me about the books. Well, it should be news to you that I'm not giving 'em'.

'You're right. It is news to me but I anticipated it. Guards!' she yells as weapons surround me. She chuckles and whispers with silkiness 'You don't have a choice.'