Page 40 of Heart of a Hero

The minutes dragged by, each one feeling like an eternity. The sirens, the shouts, the crackling of the fire -- it all blended into a cacophony of chaos. The reporter’s voice trying to talk over everything going on behind her. But all I could focus on was the door, waiting for Dawson to emerge. I just knew he’d been one of the firefighters who’d gone inside.

“Please, God,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “Bring him back to me.”

I thought of all the moments we’d shared, the love we’d found. The idea of losing him was unbearable. I needed him, more than I’d ever needed anyone.

* * *

Dawson

We made our way back through the hallway, the heat pressing in on us from all sides. The woman leaned heavily against me, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. I could feel my own lungs straining, the smoke thick and suffocating. I’d already shared some oxygen with her, but I knew it wasn’t enough. We needed to get her to a paramedic as soon as possible.

We pushed on, step by grueling step. Briggs led the way, his ax at the ready, clearing the path of any obstacles.

As we neared the stairwell, a deafening crack echoed through the building. I looked up, my heart stopping as I saw the ceiling above us give way. In a split second, I threw myself over the woman, shielding her as chunks of debris rained down around us.

Pain exploded through my body as something struck my back, but I gritted my teeth, refusing to let go. I had to get her out. I had to make it back to Nora.

I felt the debris lifting off me. With a grunt of effort, I staggered to my feet, pulling the woman with me. Briggs was at my side, his eyes wide with concern.

“You all right, Kane?” he shouted over the roar of the fire.

I nodded, my jaw clenched. “I’m fine. Let’s keep moving.”

We pushed on, the stairs treacherous beneath our feet. My mind was focused on one thing -- getting out alive. For the woman in my arms. For my team. For Nora.

I wouldn’t let the fire win. Not today.

* * *

Nora

I hadn’t been able to watch on the TV a moment longer. I’d yelled out to my boss I had to leave, and then I’d rushed to the scene of the fire, needing to see for myself that Dawson was all right. Except, he still hadn’t come out of the building.

I pressed a hand to my mouth, holding back a scream as flames licked the sky. I knew this was his job, but right now, all I felt was sheer terror at the thought of never seeing him again.

The heat was intense, even from a distance, and I could barely breathe through the thick smoke that hung in the air.

But none of that mattered. All I could think about was Dawson, somewhere inside that inferno, risking his life to save others. My hands shook as I clasped them together, silently praying for his safety.

A movement caught my eye, and I turned, my breath catching in my throat. There, lurking in the shadows of a nearby alley, was a figure I knew all too well. Rex.

He stood there, watching the chaos unfold, a twisted smile on his face. Our eyes met, and a chill ran down my spine. Was he here for me? Had he known somehow that Dawson’s station would answer the call? Had he hoped I’d show up?

I took a step back, my heart racing. I had to get away, had to find somewhere safe. But where could I go? The streets were filled with panicked people, and the fire was spreading rapidly. Even though I knew some of the firefighters, I couldn’t distract them from their jobs.

Rex started toward me, his eyes glinting with malice. I turned to run, but my feet felt like lead, weighed down by fear.

“Nora!” he called out, his voice cutting through the din of the sirens and screams. “You can’t run from me!”

I looked around desperately, searching for someone, anyone who could help me. But everyone was focused on the fire, on the brave firefighters battling the blaze.

I was alone. Alone with the man who had made my life a living hell.

Rex closed in, his hand reaching out to grab me. I stumbled back, my mind reeling. What could I do? How could I escape?

And then, in the midst of my panic, a single thought crystallized in my mind. Dawson. He was my hope, my salvation. I had to trust that he would find me, that he would save me from Rex’s clutches. Even if Rex managed to kidnap me right now, I had to believe Dawson would come for me.

I darted into a nearby alley, my heart pounding as I heard Rex’s footsteps close behind me. The narrow passage was cluttered with garbage and debris, making it difficult to navigate. I stumbled over a discarded box, nearly losing my balance, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when Rex was so close.

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