Page 5 of Truth

As soon as I called for her, a large crashing sound followed by shattered glass entered our bedroom.

“Hey. I need you two to come this way.”

“No, no.” I shook my head. I was not leaving without Chelly.

“Sir—” I coughed, covering my face. “M-my sister.”

“We need them out!” I heard someone belt behind him.

Something hard hit the bedroom door, and my head rolled toward it. That could be Chelly.

“I-I’m coming!” I then looked at Germaine. “Baby, go with them.”

When I grabbed the blanket to turn the doorknob, it was still hot, but it wouldn’t fucking turn. Something had it jammed.

“Merciiiiii!”

“Yes, Chelly! It’s me! I need you to get out the best way you can! Go! We are fine.”

She coughed and coughed until I heard a large gasp. Just when I went to try to open the door again, a strong arm slid around my waist. By then, Germaine had been pulled outside. I knew he was safe. It was Chelly that needed saving.

“What the fuck are you doing! I can’t leave! I can’t—Chelly! Please, Chelly! The fuck are you doing? Go get my sister! Get her!”

“Get her out of there now!”

I didn’t want to go. I couldn’t. I fought like hell, but there were two firefighters inside now. They were bigger, stronger, and the more I fought, the weaker I became. Soon, smoke filled my lungs, and I could barely stay awake. I knew my fate, but I was fine with it. If Chelly wasn’t alive to live out her dreams, this was a place I didn’t want to live in anyway.

After I was admitted into the hospital, I was in and out of consciousness. What I remembered and what would forever be etched in my mind was hearing she was dead on arrival. Her body was charred almost beyond recognition. Her screams tortured me and clawed at my heart and soul. I’d never be the same, and I didn’t deserve to be. She had dreams. I didn’t, so how the fuck was that fair?

It wasn’t. Neither was me standing and breathing over her remains. It wasn’t for long as rain fell from the sky before I tookoff. It didn’t matter. She wasn’t there anyway. She was free while I was stuck in this fucking hell hole called life.

“Dubois,it’s too fucking dangerous! Get back!” Kane yelled.

I couldn’t. I heard her screaming. The panic in her voice was unbearable. There was no fucking way I was going to stand by and not attempt to save her. My heart clenched so tightly I could barely breathe. I had to go in, ignoring the warnings from the others. I knew Kane would be pissed, but this is what we signed up for—to save fucking lives, not go home to our families as if leaving anyone was a normal part of our day’s work. Not on my watch. Fuck that.

“I’m going in.”

I met Kane’s narrowed eyes, challenging him. He knew well enough to know he wouldn’t win. After I released a frustrated breath, he nodded.

“Alright then.” He looked at the others, waving them closer. “Fellas, hold the water steady! Dubois is going in, and don’t let up! Keep at it!”

I pulled my mask over my face, knelt, and squeezed through the dilapidated door. Even in full insulated gear, I could feel the warmth of the surrounding heat. Flames licked at the walls, and debris crashed down from the ceiling. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her piercing cries as they echoed throughout the inferno of flames. I forged ahead despite my pulse racing.On elbows and knees as if I was at war, I crawled through the wreckage, feeling my way through.

“I’m coming. Tell me where you are!” At least if I could hear her voice again while closer, I’d know which way to go.

“Here! Over here!” When I turned the corner where her cry for help came, I saw her. I moved quickly, climbing over wet debris that fell from the ceiling where she was near a wall. Her eyes expanded as she reached for me. With each grunt, I knew she was stuck.

“Look at me. You can do this. It may hurt for now, but I need you to focus and listen to me.”

Her tear-streaked face looked around when a beam fell. She shut her eyes tightly, covering her face with one arm.

“Hey, sweetie. We are leaving out of here together. Understand?”

She nodded, her eyes wide with fear. I pushed a portion of the wall to the left and threw my hand toward her. She immediately grabbed onto my wrist. Fuck, I felt a sharp pain rush up my arm all the way to my shoulder.

“That’s it. You think you can push with one knee and make it easier to relieve your leg?”

“I-I... shit!”

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