Page 13 of His Fiery Mate

“There are others,” the teacher started.

“We’ll find them.”

His expanded team moved swiftly, two of them peeling off to guide the kids out of the windowless room and back towards the exit. Tanner and the remainder of the team made a quick search of the room to ensure no one had been left behind. As he scanned the room, a section of the ceiling collapsed behind him, sending a shower of sparks and debris to the floor.

"Move, move, move!" he shouted, pushing his team forward.

They emerged into the hallway just as another explosion rocked the building. What the hell had the teachers been thinking? Tanner’s thoughts flashed momentarily to the boy he couldn’t save, and he shoved the memory down, vowing not to let history repeat itself.

Leading his team deeper into the school, Tanner’s mind raced. The fire seemed more aggressive, almost sentient, as if it knew his secret and was challenging him. He felt its heat, not as a threat, but as a reminder of his dual nature—part man, part hellhound. A secret he could never share with those who followed him into danger.

"Tanner, this way!" Jimmy called, pointing to a blocked stairwell. The way to the second floor was choked with flames and fallen debris.

Without hesitation, Tanner took the lead. "We'll make our way up the maintenance ladder in the janitor's closet," he directed. "Stay close, stay low, and watch your footing. Make sure you don’t lose sight of the person directly in front of you or behind you. Let’s go."

The team moved as one until they hit the janitor’s closet. “Jimmy, you take drag. I’ll lead them up.”

“Roger,” said Jimmy.

Tanner grabbed the rungs of the ladder and started to climb, the team right behind him putting their hands where the feet of the person before them had been. Up and up they climbed, the heat growing more intense with each step. As they reached the second floor, Tanner felt a strange, yet familiar sense of invulnerability. The flames danced around him, but he moved through them with ease, leading his team to the trapped survivors.

The hallway was a chaotic symphony of crackling flames and crumbling walls as Tanner and his team reached a blocked classroom door. The heavy smoke made it nearly impossible to see, but Tanner’s keen senses picked up the faint, desperate cries for help from within. They found the last group of students and their teacher huddled in another classroom, the doorway blocked by debris.

“Over here!” he shouted, directing his team towards the door. Flames danced along the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the charred walls. They had to move fast; time was running out.

"Help me clear this!" Tanner ordered. “Jimmy grab the Halligan and hand me the axe. Let’s get this debris out of the way!” Tanner ordered, his voice steady despite the urgency.

He and Jimmy sprang into action, working together like a well-oiled machine. The doorway was choked with fallen beams, plaster, and pieces of the ceiling, creating a formidable barricade. Tanner took a moment to assess the situation, noting the structural weaknesses and potential hazards.

“Start with the beam on the right,” he said to Jimmy, pointing to a large piece of wood partially wedged against the frame. “Once it’s moved, we can start clearing the smaller stuff. The rest of you keep moving the debris, we need to keep the hallway clear.”

Jimmy swung the Halligan tool with practiced precision, embedding its forked end into the beam. With a grunt, he pried it loose, the wood splintering under the force. Tanner stepped in with the ax, chopping away at the smaller pieces that had fallen around it.

The firefighters’ gloved hands moved quickly, grabbing chunks of debris and tossing them aside out of the way. The heat was intense and sweat poured down their faces despite the protective gear. Tanner could feel the fire's relentless advance, every second bringing it closer.

“Almost there!” Tanner encouraged, sensing the fear and determination in some of those who had followed him into what many might term Hell’s inferno. He heard a loud creak above and glanced up to see a large section of the ceiling sagging dangerously.

“Hurry, we don’t have much time!” he shouted. The team redoubled their efforts, working in a coordinated rhythm.

With a final, powerful yank, Jimmy pulled the beam free, and the remaining debris tumbled away from the doorway. Tanner kicked the door open, revealing the terrified faces of the teacher and several of the students huddled together.

"You're safe now," Tanner assured the teacher and students. His team quickly escorted them out, but Tanner lingered for a moment, staring at the raging fire. He could feel its energy, almost hear it whispering to him.

As they made their way out, Tanner heard the building groan ominously. They were running out of time. "Everyone out, now!" he commanded. His voice reassuring as it cut through the panic. “Everyone, follow us. Stay low, hang onto the firefighter who takes you and for god’s sake, move quickly.” The teacher tried to go first, and Tanner prevented him from doing so. “You got them into this mess, asshole, you’re the last one out.”

Finally, he allowed the teacher to grab onto Jimmy. “Get him out, kid. I’m going forward to take lead. Make sure we don’t lose any stragglers.”

“Will do. I’ve got your six.”

Tanner moved to the front, where his experience and instincts guided them through the haze and blazing halls. The smoke was thick, and visibility was nearly zero, but he managed to successfully lead them back down the hall, his team forming a protective barrier around the group.

As they reached the exit, another explosion rocked the building, sending a shower of sparks raining down. Tanner shielded the group with his body as much as he could—grabbing and pulling them forward to safety. He knew his hellhound resilience would make him a bulwark against the inferno. They burst through the front doors just as the roof collapsed behind them, a massive fireball shooting into the sky. Outside, they were greeted by the cheers and relief of the evacuated students and teacher, and the grateful looks of his fellow firefighters.

Tanner felt a familiar pang of guilt and reservation. They saw him as a hero, but he knew the truth. He had survived the flames not because of bravery or skill, but because of the hellhound within him, the creature that couldn't be burned. As he watched the school burn, Tanner vowed to keep his secret safe, even as he faced the fires that haunted his past and shaped his destiny.

Paramedics rushed to the aid of those who had been trapped inside and those who had saved them. Outside, and a safe distance away from the school, they were met with cheers and relief from the other firefighters, the parents of the students and the press. The teachers and students clung to Tanner and the other firefighters, their gratitude palpable.

“We did it, Tanner,” Jimmy said, clapping him on the back. “We got them out.”

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