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She is covered in black soot, cradling her baby in her arms, completely helpless. She’s stuck underneath a beam. She can’t move. “Give me him, I promise I will get him out of here.” I promise her this because I will get him out of here. He’s not dying in this building, he’s barely lived to see this world, barely breathed it in.

Kade goes towards the beam and manages to lift it, but the damage is done. Her leg is broken, she can’t walk out of here. Kade knows what I’m thinking before I even voice it. He scoops her off the floor gently and carries her back the way we came. The baby boy in my arms can’t be any more than two months old. He’s settled in my arms, still awake, it’s a good sign. I try to hold him close, shielding him from the smoke.

The building is going to collapse. More beams are falling behind us, causing plumes of smoke to rise around us. I can’t see anything, the tears in my eyes obscuring my view even more.

“We need to go back, there’s no way through!” I shout towards Kade, the flames and smoke making it hard to be heard. The desperation in my voice becomes more evident by the minute. I might have just got Kade killed, if we can’t get out. He followed me in here, it’s my fault.

“There’s a small opening over there!” Kade points towards some light coming through a small gap between the floor and a fallen beam. It’s too small, no bigger than a window hatch at a takeout drive thru.

“We’re not going to fit through there!” I say, panic coming through every word. The baby is shrieking in my arms now, I have to get him out. “You can fit through there with him and then pull her through afterwards.” I look at the gap again. I could fit. I can get them both out—the realisation dawning over me.

“Wait, what about you? How are you going to get out?” The dread in my tone is all I can hear. He’s not planning on getting out of here.

“Don’t worry about me, just get them out, now!” he coughs in between words. He’s struggling to breathe. I crouch down near the opening and scream, “CYRUS!” It takes only a few seconds before he’s in front of me. I pass him the baby through the opening, “Get him out Cyrus, please!” I plead. He takes him out of my hands and sprints towards EMS.

I’m small and petite, I should be able to get through here with a bit of determination. I struggle through the beam, it’s cutting into my skin as I drag myself through, but I manage to get to the other side. “Kade! Lay her down and I’ll drag her through.” I shout. I don’t get a response. Terror… he can’t be dead.

“Kade!” I scream. I hear him coughing, he comes into view. He doesn’t have long. Neither does the woman in his arms. He gently places her on the floor. I grab both of her hands and pull with all the strength I have left. She’s going to have cuts from the beam, but she’ll be alive to raise her son, that’s all anyone can ask for. Time.

“CASS!” I scream the command in desperation. I need to get Kade out somehow. “Take her!” I don’t have to ask twice, he knows what I need, and he follows my direction.

I’m running out of energy. My body is slack with exhaustion. The fire department could cut through this beam, but there’s nobody here. They’re all around the back getting other people out. The building is still ablaze and threatening to collapse at any moment.

“Get back behind the cordon,” Kade sputters and coughs. I don’t respond to his ridiculous order. I place both hands underneath the beam and try to lift it, to no avail. It’s too heavy. I could use something to wedge underneath it like a car jack. There’s nothing here! There has to be something—there’s always something to use.

“Viper, go back behind the cordon. Now!” he demands. I’m not giving up. I’m not leaving him here. This is my fault. Why did he have to follow me?

“Emilia! The whole building is going to collapse, go back!” He screams at me.

“No! I’m not leaving you here, Kade!” I scream. He’s not dying here because of me. It’s not an option. The adrenaline and panic are driving me forward now. I plant both of my feet and squat underneath the beam. If I can lift it just a little, I might be able to dislodge the other side. I place both hands over my shoulders and grip the beam with both hands. I push with as much strength as I have left… it’s not enough. The beam doesn’t budge.

I growl in frustration, “Why did you have to follow me in here, you stupid asshole?” I scream. He doesn’t respond to me.

“Kade!” I scream. Still no response. No…no…he doesn’t get to die on me, he doesn’t get to leave me. Everybody ends up leaving me—no more. I plant my feet firmly on the ground again and place my hands back onto the beam. This time I have no choice but to push with everything I have and more. I scream and growl into the air as I push. The sweat is pouring off my face, mixing with fresh tears. My legs start to shake with the pressure, but I push through it. I push with everything in me, every shred of anger, every piece of fury…the beam comes loose.

I rush forward, towards Kade, not even lightening could compare to the speed I’m going. He’s still breathing, his breaths are shallow though. I shake him, trying to wake him up, but it doesn’t work, so I slap him hard in the face.

“What the fuck?” he swears. “Sorry, you weren’t waking up.” I shrug. He groans as he sits up slowly. His head has a deep gash on the side, but it’s mostly stopped bleeding.

“It’s nice of you to finally grace me with your presence, Viper, it took you long enough.” He coughs like he’s been smoking forty cigarettes a day for years. I go to put myself underneath his arm to steady him whilst he’s getting up off the floor. We really need to get out of here. “I’m curious, what were you thinking about that got you that angry to lift the beam?” I can’t tell him the truth, so I say, “You, you infuriating asshole.” I point towards his chest. “Liar,” he scoffs.

I walk with him towards the cordon, towards our friends who sigh in relief at the sight of us. He’s walking steady now, he doesn’t need my help to walk. “Jesus Emilia, what the fuck were you thinking?” Cyrus reprimands.

“I know, I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” I know when I’m wrong and when to admit it. I can’t say I regret it though. That baby and his mother are alive, and we got out alright too, albeit it was a close call.

“Before anyone argues with me, I’m not getting checked out by EMS. I’ll go see Doc back on station, and I don’t want to hear one word about it, clear?” Kade announces. “I want everyone to get checked out by Doc when we get back, no exceptions.” He looks to me as if I’m about to argue. I won’t be seeing Doc, I can’t risk him looking at my neck. I’ll have to think up some excuse.

I knock on the door of Kade’s office. I just want to make sure he’s alright. After all, he’s in this mess because of me. He ushers me inside. He’s perched at the front of his desk, partially sitting on top of it with a first aid kit beside him. He has his shirt off. I can’t blame him, we are all covered in soot and dirt. He hasn’t been to see Doc, his cut is still bleeding on his head.

“Why haven’t you seen the Doc, it needs to be cleaned and dressed?” I say in the most accusing tone I can muster.

“I could ask you the same thing.” The accusation so obvious, anyone would notice it. He tries to find the antiseptic, it’s painful to watch. It’s like watching a kid trying to tie their own shoelaces.

I take the packet out of his hand and go through the kit myself. I pull out the antiseptic liquid, some gauze, and a fresh dressing. I get to work cleaning the wound, keeping my touch gentle.

“I can do that, you don’t have to,” he murmurs.

“Just let me help you, it’s the least I can do.” I bow my head. I can’t bring myself to look at him directly. I move between his legs and get to work with the antiseptic. “I’m sorry I didn’t follow your orders. I just wasn’t thinking,” I admit. I’m preparing myself for a reprimand, but it doesn’t come.