Chapter 25
25
EMBER
The best men are on the job - that’s what that firefighter tells the crying woman as she struggles to breathe.
He’s talking about Connor.
That realization immediately sinks in.
Connor is the best man these firefighters have got, and he doesn’t disappoint.
He sprints into the building the moment the mother explains about her trapped babies. I watch him as he disappears into the flames devouring the home without a moment’s hesitation.
He’s incredible...
Eric’s gone in as well, closely following his friend at his heels. He’s determined not to let Connor tear off alone.
They’re gone for what seems to be an eternity.
We can’t see them through the fire and the smoke.
I realize I’m holding my breath. The other firefighters are at work around me, trying to stop the spread of the flames. Everything on the street here is lit by the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles. Paramedics are treating the woman screaming for her children.
Holy shit, she might lose her kids...
I’m stuck. Frozen. My eyes desperately search the house, trying to find signs of Connor somewhere in there. He’s completely disappeared. It seems like the whole building will collapse any moment, with him still inside...
But then Eric emerges from the doorway. He’s holding a child in his arms.
The mother lets out a guttural scream. She fears the worst, but I can already tell the kid is okay - he’s crying but looks fine other than some ash and smoke on his face. Eric is breathing heavily as he runs up to our waiting group.
“Connor was just behind me,” he announces. “He went back to look further. We couldn’t find the other kids, but he wants to check one last time.”
Oh, God.
The boy runs to his mother. The paramedics surround them.
“Is Connor okay?” I ask Eric. “Tell me he’s okay.”
He shakes his head.
“I don’t know. The entire thing might come down at any moment. He didn’t want to leave without everyone, though.”
“Oh, God...”
And then Connor appears. He’s racing out of the house with a child held under each arm. The kids are crying. Connor looks determined. He gets out of the building just as there is a mighty boom and an entire section of the roof gives way and crumbles into the flames behind him.
He’s safe. He’s safe. He’s safe.
There’s another cry from the mother as she sees her children. I watch as Connor gently lowers the kids in his arms to the grass safely far away from the collapsing debris. The mother has torn free from the paramedics to sprint across the yard to hug her kids. Connor stands up tall and removes his jacket, bending back down to wrap it around the crying children lovingly as they embrace their mother.
“Is there anyone else inside?” he asks the woman as she clutches her babies tight.
She shakes her head.
“No, no. This is everyone. Thank you.”
But one of her kids speaks up.
“My doll...”
Connor sighs.
“I think I saw your doll on your bed,” he mutters. “That side of the house hasn’t given way yet...”
Eric rushes up to his friend, already knowing what’s on his mind.
“It’s stupid to go back inside, Connor,” he barks at his team leader. “Don’t you fucking dare do what I know you’re thinking.”
“Then call me stupid,” Connor replies before he’s running back into the burning home.
Holy shit.
I can’t believe I’m witnessing this.
I feel powerless to help - I’m just some dumb journalist standing on the sidelines. I’m not saving lives. I’m not treating anyone medically. I’m here to write some freaking meaningless puff piece.
Eric is yelling his friend’s name – calling him to come back - but it’s too damn late.
Connor is lost to the flames inside.
He willingly went back... for a doll...
The man is insane.
And I can see that, underneath that cold exterior, he cares .
And then, moments later, he returns.
It is true insanity.
Connor returns holding a doll in his hands. He actually freaking did it .
He marches over to the child and hands her the toy. She looks up at him like a superhero. I know how she feels.
“Here’s your doll,” the man says.
And, with tears in her eyes, the girl reaches around and hugs the giant firefighter.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
I spot a slight smile on Connor’s lips as the little girl embraces him firmly. His stoic guard slips for a mere moment before he...
“You’re lucky,” Connor tells the girl. “Your doll is okay, but I want you to know that it’s perfectly fine to lose material possessions. You can replace those, but you can’t replace you or your brothers or your mom. You can’t replace your family. I’m glad you are all safe. You’re going to be okay.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
It’s all the girl repeats to the man.
He smiles one last time...
And then he’s heading back to the fire engine.
And I follow.
“You were amazing back there, Connor,” I say when we are safely out of earshot of the family and the other firefighters.
The man turns to face me.
“I was just doing my job,” he tells me wearily.
“But you could have gotten yourself seriously hurt,” I reply. “You really put your life on the line there.”
He shrugs.
“I never go into a burning building unprotected,” he explains. “It’s a fireman’s rule. I had my friends and colleagues there with me. They had my back, that’s what matters.”
“But... what you did... that was amazing .”
Connor raises a brow.
“Be careful, Ember. That sounds seriously close to praise. We wouldn’t want an impartial journalist doing something like that.”
I laugh, more out of pure relief than anything. “I’m still very much prepared to write a hit piece and interrogate you later,” I retort.
“We’ll see,” Connor replies. “Right now, I’m back to work. Please keep out of my way.”
I smirk at the guy. I’ve spent enough time with him to know he’s not as serious as he tries to be.
“Sure thing,” I say. “I’ll stay out of your way, doll savior .”
And do I dare spot another small smile pass Connor’s lips?
I think I do.