Chapter 36
Ezra shouted as he put on his oxygen mask. "I'll show you, our loyalty. A firefighter never abandons his comrades. We go in together, and we come out together. Even if we have to die doing it!"
“How long has it been since Dane went in?”
At someone’s question, Wilkins answered.
“It’s been about 10 minutes since we last heard from him. We need to hurry.”
Firefighters with tense faces scrambled to grab their equipment. They rushed to check their oxygen tanks and protective gear. Despite the burning smell and the smoke, their preparations for the mission were filled with resolve.
Grayson watched them, feeling nothing but contempt. He’d be coming out on his own soon enough. How long could he withstand the flames? Why make such a fuss over something that would take care of itself if they just waited?
The reason was obvious. They just wanted to criticize Grayson or make it seem like they had some grand sense of camaraderie.
He shrugged indifferently. The hurried steps, the short, sharp commands coming through the radios, the heat from the burning house—everything just felt so exaggerated.
“Alright, let’s go!”
Ezra, ready, shouted, and everyone nodded solemnly. They were determined to bring Dane back. Just as they were about to rush inside...
Boom!
There was a massive explosion, followed by the sound of thunder. The house, engulfed in flames, twisted and finally collapsed, losing its center of gravity. The huge debris tumbled down, and flames rose again from the wreckage.