Page 51 of The Firefighter's Fate

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.

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