Unable to move, I was shocked when hands grabbed me, yanking me out of the way mere seconds before a horrific explosion.
We were pitched backward, the wind knocked out of me. In shock, my mind couldn’t register what I was seeing.
At least at first.
Then I realized the helicopter was on fire and Will was desperately trying to climb out of the wreckage.
There was no room for error or time to waste. I rushed forward, determined to save my brother.
“No, Axe. It’s too hot!” one of the smokejumpers yelled.
Ignoring everything else around me, I ran toward the flames, fighting my way until I reached the door. It was hot to the touch; I didn’t pay a damn bit of attention, wrangling with and finally managing to open the door.
“Will. Fuck. Fuck.” I fought with his seatbelt while the fire raged on, barely cognizant there were others, all shouting behind me.
All I could concentrate on was getting Will free.
As soon as I did, I dragged him away by several feet.
“It’s going to blow!” Rock screamed.
After a few additional feet, the blast pummeled us forward by several feet. As soon as we hit with a hard thud, I covered Will’s body with mine.
Whoosh.
Boom.
The ground beneath us shook violently.
People were everywhere, working to put out the fire. I finally lifted my head, brushing hair from my brother’s face.
He was badly burned, barely breathing. No. No. No! “Will. You’re going to be okay. You’ll be fine. I need help! Get an ambulance!” I cradled him in my arms, ensuring not a single falling ember touched him.
“Steve…” Will opened his eyes, managing to grasp my arm. “I’m… so… sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to be sorry about.” Oh, God. Oh. God. “Someone. Please. Get an ambulance. Just hold on. Okay? We’ll get you to a hospital.”
Seconds ticked by.
Voices.
Shouts.
Footsteps.
But everything was driven into a vacuum, the moment of time pitching to a dead stop the moment my brother smiled.
“You’re a great… smokejumper, Stephen. Axe. Man. A great… brother.”
“Hang on, Will. I’ve got you. Just hang on. You’re going to be fine.” I pulled him close as other jumpers circled.
Just as Will closed his eyes, the smile still on his face.
CHAPTER 2
Kenzie
Three weeks later…
