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“I’ve got him,” I shout to Freddie. “He’s unconscious.”
I reach inside the closet and take him in my arms, holding him close. I’m not meant to remove my breathing mask, but I do anyway, holding it over his face for a few seconds. I pull it back on and make for the door.
“Let’s get out of here,” I call to Freddie, and he nods. My eyes drop to Roman, who’s lifeless in my arms. “It’s going to be okay, Roman. I promise.” He’s still not awake, but I hope he can hear me.
The promise dies on my lips when I get back into the hallway and see that the staircase is burning. The flames lick the wooden banister and the smoke is getting thicker. There’s no chance we can go back down the stairs.
“Fuck! This way.” I gesture with my head along the hallway to Melody’s room.
When I get there, I kick the door, putting all my weight into it. When it doesn’t open, I look down at Roman, still unconscious in my arms. Ihaveto get him out.
“Move, Lucas. I got this,” Freddie shouts, and I nod, stepping to one side. I watch as he takes a step back and then runs toward the door. The door flies open and Freddie stumbles into the room. I quickly follow him inside, relieved to see that the room is empty. Liam must have gotten Melody out. I make my way to the window and lean out slightly with Roman still in my arms. I breathe a sigh of relief as I see Melody sitting on the steps of the EMT truck, an oxygen mask on her face.
“We need the ladder now,” I shout. “The stairs have gone.”
When she hears my voice, she pulls the mask off her face and runs toward the house. Dylan grabs her around the waist, stopping her from getting too close.
“Roman!” she cries, trying to get out of Dylan’s hold.
I can’t find the words to tell her that he’s unconscious, but the sound she makes when she realizes he isn’t moving pierces my soul.
“Liam. Get the ladder up again, and fast,” Dylan shouts before saying something to Melody, keeping his arm around her. Tears pour down her cheeks and she clamps her hand over her mouth as she watches us. It seems to take forever for the ladder to reach us. The second it does, I climb out onto it with Roman still nestled against me. As the ladder moves us away from the burning house, I pull my mask off and place it over Roman’s face. It’s not pure oxygen, but it’s better than nothing. The EMTs are waiting by the fire truck for us, and as soon as the ladder reaches the ground, I run to them, placing Roman on the waiting gurney.
“Is he breathing?” Melody cries as she rushes to the gurney, picking up his hand.
“He’s breathing,” the EMT assures her. “We need to get him into the ambulance and on some oxygen. You can come with him,” she says, already wheeling him toward the ambulance.
She looks from me to the retreating gurney and begins to walk backward. “Thank you,” she mouths, tears tracking down her face.
My heart stutters in my chest, and I want to pull her into my arms, but I know she needs to be with Roman.
“I’ll come to the hospital as soon as I can,” I shout, and she nods, giving me a sad smile. I watch her until she disappears into the back of the ambulance, dropping to my knees when she’s out of sight. The enormity of what’s just happened crashes into me, and suddenly I can’t breathe. I could have lost them tonight. Both of them. I can’t stay here. I have to be with them.
Dylan appears beside me. “Are you okay?” he asks, his hand going to my shoulder.
“No. I need to be with Melody and Roman.”
“Go. I’ve called Aiden. He’s going to come and take over your shift.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” I stand just as the ambulance pulls away, sirens blaring. “Fuck. I hope everything’s okay.”
“Go. I’ll get someone to bring your phone to the hospital.”
I shake off my breathing apparatus before pulling him into a one-armed hug and slapping him on the back. I step out of the embrace and run along the sidewalk and up to my front door, grabbing the spare key from its hiding place. I take the stairs two at a time and strip out of my uniform before pulling on some jeans and a t-shirt. I suddenly remember that Melody only has her sleep shorts and tank on, so I grab one of my sweaters and snatch up the keys to the truck. Thankfully, I’d walked to the station last night, so my truck is on the driveway.
Within minutes, I’m heading to the hospital, driving faster than I should. I just want to be with them. They’re everything to me.
