The structure began shuddering from small explosions, as the flames licked at the storage areas that held the fuel for the massive the Forgefires hosted for their smelting. Plumes of fire ate away at the wood, and all the while Victoria was only just coming to. She sniffed once, coughed and shot up from her bed. Smoke clouded her vision, and she looked around desperately. She understood the situation perfectly- the entire smithy was on fire and she needed to get out. In the back of her head, she remembered her Master's chemical fires being even worse to control, and threw herself at the window. Looking out, she immediately knew that the structure was too unstable to climb down, and straight-up jumping off will end up with both her thin legs broken, and unable to get away if the building was to explode or collapse over her. No, too chancy.
Why? Why did this have to happen now? She finally managed to meet a celebrity she swooned over, and now this. She disregarded the suitcase full of her own belongings- those could be replaced. However, Etzel's smaller case of chemicals needed to be saved- who knows what would happen if she just left them there for the chemicals to burn. Inhaling poisonous substances wasn't much better than drinking them. She dragged the suitcase out into the hall, where the effects of the fire were even more disastrous. She dashed down the hall, making her way toward the stairs and exit. Suddenly, a dark shape shoved her out of the way as the archway collapsed, sweeping her into the flaming main hall. The masked doctor looked at her once, his posture relieved. "Go!" He ordered sharply, and Victoria went with Etzel trailing right behind her. Suddenly, the floorboards snapped, weakened by the flame sending the Doctor crashing through the floor, snapping the ankle and cracking the humerus. Pain lanced up the man's leg, as he collapsed. Victoria whirled around, trying to pull the Doctor up and just barely succeeded in forcing him to his feet and helping him toward the exit.
His gloved hand shot up at his mask, undoing the latches and forcing the mask into the girl's free hand. The pale physician's face was drenched in sweat, contorted with pain, and his eyes blazing with clarity. Just before they reached the door, the Physician's eyes went wide.
"Live. You have graduated, Victoria." He whispered, twisting from Victoria's arm and pushing her through the exit just as the roof caved in, blocking off the entrance.
The girl was thrown off her feet, into the courtyard with her cushioned suitcase slamming near her. The mask flopped to the ground, a little distance away. Victoria whirled around, staring in numb shock at the building she had so barely escaped.
Live
She picked up the suitcase and mask with shaking hands, scuttling a few yards before picking herself up and running. Far away, she didn't stop running for miles. She reached an old safehouse, fumbling at the traps and unlocking the door before entering. She understood why her Master was so distant from others now. He was aloof, alone, and more importantly- could not be touched. Over the years, the only apprentice that had stuck with him for so long grew on him, a girl that wouldn't give up no matter how insane he acted. It was his final connection, he had loved Victoria- and to save his apprentice he pushed into a burning building to make sure she got out. Locking the door behind her, she dropped the suitcase, sat down against the thick wooden entrance, and began sobbing.