30. Huntley
Chapter Thirty
HUNTLEY
Fire licked at me from all sides.
Through the roar of the flames and the debris falling down around me, I heard a faint cry for help. Pushing forward, with my buddy right behind me, we searched the burning two-story home for the mother and daughter trapped inside.
As we entered the upstairs, main bedroom, I heard someone call out again. After shoving open another door we found the woman and her child huddled together in the master bath, tears streaming down their fear-stricken faces. The mother had gotten towels wet and shoved them under the door to block out the smoke and also to cover their faces.
Even with her attempts to block out the smoke, they were coughing frantically. With no time to waste, my partner picked up the woman as I grabbed the young girl. With the towels still protecting their faces, we started to head back the way we had come.
Our visibility had become extremely difficult and I felt the inferno heating my skin even through my gear. We worked our way toward the front door where the rest of our crew had their hoses battling the flames around us.
Through the haze of smoke, I glimpsed the door. We’re almost there. My buddy and the woman just ahead of me crossed the threshold to the open air when a loud noise above me caught my attention causing me to glance up.
One second I thought we were going to make it; the next, the roof collapsed around me. Something slammed into my head and knocked me, along with the child, to the ground. My world spun and I tried yelling for someone to help the girl but nothing came out.
I failed.
My last thought before the world went black was…
I hope River knows how much I love her.