The fire grew rapidly and no one in the room was brave enough to approach. Sydney clung to Ernest, trembling, "Ernest, I'm scared."
Ernest let go of Ivana and softly comforted Sydney in his arms.
Ivana's face paled. She tried to move, but the two women behind her were pushing and shouting, occasionally letting out piercing screams, "Where's the fire extinguisher?"
The flames had grown taller and Ivana found herself being pushed closer and closer to the origin of the fire. Someone, panicked, grabbed a curtain and began waving it at the fire.
Ivana tried to retreat, but she was pushed forward by the crowd toward the flames.
"Ah!" screams filled the air.
The curtains caught fire too. The burning fabric whipped through the air, setting tables and sofas on fire.
Panicked, the person holding the curtain shouted and threw the burning cloth straight toward Ivana.
The red flames reminded her of her parents, triggering an overwhelming fear that froze her in place, making her unable to react normally.
The curtain landed on her head and Ivana instantly became engulfed in flames. "Ah! Ah!" The room erupted in screams, some for Ivana and others for various people.