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“He was in the hallway, but I told him to go into his bedroom. He was crying.” I sob and cough at the same time, the smoke hitting the back of my throat.
“Is the smoke getting thicker?”
“Yes,” I choke out.
“Can you get to a window and see if there’s a way out?”
“No! I can’t leave Roman!”
“Can you just go to the window to get some air?”
I put the phone down on the floor and try again to open the bedroom door, pulling on the handle as hard as I can. As stupid as it sounds, I don’t want to move away from the door. This is the closest I can get to him, and if he shouts for me, I won’t be able to hear him from the window.
“Melody, are you still there?” Elise shouts, and I reluctantly release the door handle to pick up the phone.
“I’m here,” I tell her.
“What’s happening? Talk to me.”
“I was trying to get the door open. I can’t do it.”
“The fire department will be there any minute.”
Within seconds, I hear the sirens in the distance. “I hear them!” I exclaim, coughing and spluttering on the smoke. Crawling along the floor, I pull myself up at the already open window, just as the fire truck comes into view. Dragging in mouthfuls of fresh air, my stomach rolls as I think of Roman fighting to breathe in his bedroom.
Relief washes over me when I see Lucas jump from the fire truck.
“They’re here,” I tell Elise.
“I’ll leave you with the crew, Melody.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, ending the call.
“Melody!” Lucas shouts, moving toward the house, but being forced back by the flames that I can now see have enveloped the first floor.
“Lucas! Thank God! I can’t get to Roman!” I shout.
“Where he is?”
“His bedroom,” I choke out. “I can’t get my door open. Please, Lucas. Please get him out.” I burst into tears, feeling completely helpless.
“I’ll get him, Melody. I swear to you,” he shouts back.
I hope to God he can keep that promise.
Lucas
“Iwant to go in, Dylan. I know the layout of the house.”
He looks reluctant but nods his head. “Suit up. Freddie, go with him. Liam, get the ladder over to the window.”
I pull on my breathing gear as quickly as I can and take one last look at Melody at the window before running up the porch steps and kicking open the front door, Freddie right behind me. Most of the first floor is on fire, and I send up a silent thank-you that the staircase is still intact. I look over my shoulder at Freddie and gesture upstairs. He nods in understanding. We slowly make our way upstairs, despite wanting to run as fast as I can to get to Roman. The stairs could give way any second, and the last thing I need is to fall through them and break a leg.
When we reach the top, I quickly make for Roman’s bedroom. I open the door, my eyes tracking around the smoke-filled room. When I don’t see him, waves of panic wash over me.
“Roman. Where are you?” It’s hard to hear me with the breathing mask on, so I shout louder. “Roman! It’s Lucas.” I turn to Freddie. “Do you see him?” He shakes his head.
Freddie moves to the bed and pulls back the comforter. The bed’s empty and my stomach rolls. I rush over and drop to my knees to look under his bed, but he’s not there either. Where is he? My eyes flick to the closet and I cross the room, swinging the door open. Relief washes over me when I find him slumped on the floor of his closet. Relief soon turns to terror when I realize he’s unconscious, overcome by the smoke.
