Page 134 of Wild Embers
But I can’t let go. I can’t leave Blake in there.
The metal drops to the ground, and I use my boot to push the handle and slide the left door open. The large wood only moves an inch, the fire having already warped the metal on the track.
“Shit!” I exclaim as I refuse to give up, kicking the handle repeatedly.
The horses’ cries and the shouts from Blake almost cripple me. Instead, I use them to fuel my strength.
Kick.
Nothing.
Kick.
Nothing again.
For the next kick, I throw all of my weight into it.
The metal screams, and the wheel on the track finally jerks loose. The door shudders, opening just an inch.
“Come on,” I grit out through clenched teeth.
I won’t give up.
When there’s enough space, Blake and Bear dart through the opening. Blake lands in my arms, and a bucket of relief pours onto my heart.
My arms wrap her in an embrace, and I move us back a few feet to get out of range of the fire. “Estás a salo, mi Cielo. Estás a salvo. Estoy aquí.”You’re safe, mi Cielo. You’re safe. I’m here.
When she pulls back, I’m struck by the ash smudges covering her face. Another reminder of how close things got.
Brandon and Sam rush by us on foot, affirming how fast Ace got us here, and dart into the burning barn.
“The horses,” she breathes out as her eyes widen, and tears streak through the soot on her cheeks.
“Don’t you dare go back in there,” I warn her.
“But—” She attempts to move out of my arms.
I tighten my hold. “Stay out here. I mean it.”
I don’t release her until she nods in agreement.
“Take Bear and stand about a hundred yards away,” I instruct.
She nods again, and I dash back into the flames.
The horses squeal as they kick the gates of their stalls. Smoke builds, obscuring my vision, but I can still make out shapes. The acrid scent of burning pine, scorched hay, and gasoline rolls into me. Heat slams into my face hard enough that I instinctively shield myself with an arm.
Brandon is approaching our only viable exit, a howling chainsaw in hand. Sam is with him, wielding an axe.
“We need to widen it!” Brandon informs me, and I spring into action.
Scanning the immediate area, I find a sledgehammer on the concrete near my feet. “Let’s get it done.”
They nod their heads in understanding, and we get to work.
As we exert ourselves, the heat builds in layers. Smoke builds in direct result from the fire spreading. The loose bits of hay are our greatest adversary.
One spark is all it’d take.
