Fire

The first thing Johhny realizes, stunned by the noise and the shaking, is that perhaps he and Emanuele are witnessing an earthquake; and a bad one at that. Then, next, the smell of smoke takes over the boy's nostrils. A fire... no, an explosion.

While Johhny's mind tries at all costs to restore itself and reason quickly, Emanuele coughs. The bedroom window was open, and it was there that the girl decided to see what was happening.

The scene downstairs was one of chaos. From that angle, it was obvious that something terrible was happening on the first floor, for that was where the black clouds laden with a toxic stench were coming from. Some people who were passing by at the moment were running, others were using their cell phones to call the fire department.

The incidence of crime in that place was minimal; much less high crime. Could the explosion have been caused by an electrical failure? Some problem in the gas distribution?

Johhny opened the drawer beside the bed and took out two