Page 25 of Christmas Wishes

I change as fast as possible for someone under the influence of cough medicine and let Connor drive us just to be on the safeside. Connor confesses that the twins have been staying on and off for the past few weeks on the Williamson estate where we're planning to have the youth center.

I text Gene where I'm going and add a short explanation. When we get close to the park we see a lot of black smoke coming from the property's direction which is not good. Once we park, I look for a way into the house.

"Connor, call the fire department. I'll go get your friends."

"You can't go in there, you'll get hurt, Lilah."

"Just call for help."

I look around the side of the house and see a window that is partially open. I know I shouldn't be going inside a burning building, but two lives are in danger right now. It's dark so I light up my phone so I can see where I'm going.

There's smoke everywhere, but I can hear the twins cry for help. When I walk into the living room I see that Brad is trying to drag a passed out Owen out of harm's way. I immediately start to help Brad but my brother's voice comes from behind me.

"Brad, it's me. Let me help."

A shiver runs through me. Of course my brother came after me. These are his friends. The fire is spreading quickly and the front door is blocked. I start looking for a way out. The house is roaring all around me and I'm praying we'll all make it out of here safely.

Connor starts dragging Owen with Brad but they're going the wrong way.

"Guys, I think our best bet is to go through the kitchen and use the back door that way."

I can't even tell if they see where I'm pointing at because of all the smoke so I touch their shoulders and pull them towards the kitchen. A lot of debris is falling all around us and I'm hoping the hallway isn't affected the way the foyer was.

When we get to the kitchen both Brad and Connor collapse next to Owen. They must have inhaled too much smoke. I go around them and reach for the kitchen door when a beam falls in front of me and bars the exit.

Things seem to be escalating and I'm at a loss as to what to do. How do I get these kids out of here? More debris starts to fall in this room and I rush over to cover the boys so that they are not harmed. I hear a siren in the distance and start to become hopeful. That's when I feel a sharp pain on the back of my head and everything goes black for me.

Gene

Lilah texted me a 911 and told me to meet her at the youth center. My heart starts racing a mile a minute when I see the fire truck racing towards the same direction I'm driving to. There's a ton of smoke and the police are already there. I'm searching for Lilah, but I only see her car.

I get out of the car and get as close as they let me. The fire captain, Charlie Pascale stops me as I try to get near the building.

"I think there are four people inside. My girlfriend, her brother and his two friends."

"You need to stay back Mitchell."

I tense up when he says my name, expecting some kind of harsh word, but he doesn't say anything, just runs along to do his job. The fire is engulfing the house and I'm terrified that the woman I love will die inside it. I haven't even had the chance to tell her how I feel about her.

I search the house for areas that are not on fire yet. The firemen are busy in the front so I start walking around the house.I find the back door and wrench it open, but there's a huge beam barring the path to the kitchen.

There's a heap on the floor a few feet back and I realize it's them, my family. I run back to the front and start waving at the firemen.

"Through the kitchen, they are there, but there's a huge beam I can't move on my own."

"Stay back." The fireman barks at me, but I just follow them.

Once we get back there all I can do is watch them work. More and more firemen come with tools and more backup. I'm having a hard time breathing.

"You need to get back to the front of the house and get behind the line there. You're going to pass out from smoke inhalation."

"I need to make sure they are sa-safe."

A wave of dizziness goes through me. I act as if nothing is wrong and step back a few feet as if I'm going to do what he told me to do. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, I see them pulling the kids out. When Lilah's limp body is being carried by a fireman I intercept him.

"Give her to me. She's mine."

I know I sound like a caveman, but right now I need to know that Lilah is okay. I follow the other firemen that are carrying the kids over to the ambulances. When I get there the paramedics take her from me. She looks pale and I start shaking. What if I had lost them tonight?

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