Pyro

I pulled to a stop in front of the hotel and jumped out of my car. The whole building was engulfed in flames and there was no way I could get in to save anyone.

Not even her.

“How am I supposed to save her?” I asked. “I can barely see the building.”

“Here,” Helen said.

Her eyes were better than mine, so I had to trust that she’d seen an entry. Hopefully it would work as an exit.

“Where?” I felt around. Oh. “It’s so hot.”

“I know. When you go in, walk straight for about fifteen paces and you’ll find her.”

“How did you know about this?”

“I was out driving around. You know how I do that sometimes. Just go. The building won’t last too much longer.”

“Okay. Fifteen paces?”

“Yes. Straight in.”

How did she know it was fifteen paces straight ahead? What was going on?

“Okay.”

I entered where she told me and walked fifteen paces. “Help! Help!” I heard.

“Hello?” I called. “Is anyone there?”

“Yes. Thank god. I got everyone out that I could, I think. I was about to go upstairs again, but the stairs collapsed and I can’t move. Please help me.”

My eyes began to adjust and I could see her. My future wife. She was beautiful. Olive skinned, slender, and long chestnut brown hair with big brown eyes.

“Sure.” I looked and could see there was a fallen beam across her legs. “I’ll try to lift it off. If it hurts, just let me know and we’ll figure something else out, okay?”

“Okay.”

I could see the swell of her belly and my eyes burned a little. How could she be pregnant? What was happening? We weren’t supposed to have kids so soon.

I tried to lift the beam, but it was heavy.

“I’ll be right back, okay? I won’t go far, but I’m going to need another beam or something to help me lift it up.”

“Okay. What’s your name?”

“Hailey, what’s yours?”

“Kendra.”

“Okay, Kendra, if you get scared, call out for me.”

“I can do that. Please, stay close, and don’t leave me here.”

“Never.”

I moved away and a hand was placed over my mouth. “What are you doing here?” Jackson asked. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“Too bad, I’m here. Now are you going to help me or not?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

We moved back over to Kendra and got the beam off of her. Jackson split and I helped her up.

“Are you okay? Can you walk?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said. “I think so.”

I put her arm around my neck and placed my arm around her slender waist. “I got you. Just tell me the way out.”

She motioned in the direction just behind us and it looked clear. “Let’s go.”

We slowly made our way to the front of the building and out onto the sidewalk. “Help! This woman needs help!” I called.

I pulled away to let the paramedics help her, but she begged me to stay close. “Please, don’t go,” she said.

“I won’t go anywhere until you tell me to.”

She nodded and held my hand as the paramedics helped her. “Do you need help, miss?” one of them asked.

“No, just take care of her.”