Page 65 of From the Embers

“Denver!” Dylan, or it could be JC, calls out, but his words sound like he’s underwater, or I’m underwater. What the fuck?

I feel myself falling, but it’s almost like slow motion.

No.

I’m not gonna go down like this.

No fucking way.

But I can’t move. I can’t fucking move!

I reach out to the figure in front of me, trying to protect the girl as I fall, but I never reach him.

Then everything goes black.

“You’re okay,” someone says. “I got you, bro.”

I don’t know who it is, but it feels like an elephant sat on my chest. I have breathing apparatus over my face. I try to pull it off.

“Leave it, D. For once in your life, fucking listen.” Could be JJ, I’m not sure.

“He’s stable,” Jake, maybe? “Broken ribs, possible lung injury, smoke inhalation—he was only down for a few seconds, so I’d expect some swelling in the throat.”

“The girl?” I sputter, but the words don’t come out. I try and sit up, but a hand pushes me back down.

“Stay put,” my rescuer says. “Jesus, D.”

“Jake?”

“Who else?”

“Girl,” I say again. “Sh-she g-good?”

“You got her out. She suffered a lot of smoke inhalation, but they gave her oxygen. They’re still working on her vitals, but I think she’s gonna be okay. Everyone got out.”

I rest my head back, feeling light headed. “Adi.” My voice is scratchy. “Call Adelaide.”

“Got it, but you’re going for a ride first.” JJ takes my phone from my pocket and they load me into the back of the ambulance.

“I need Adi,” I mutter, but Jake secures the mask back over my face and tells me to shut up.

I grin, but I’m not gonna rest till I see my girl.

Adelaide

I stand there in shock, my phone falling from my hand.

“Adi?” Daryl says, concern on his face as he rushes to me. He just got in tonight and we had a late dinner. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Denver,” I whisper. “He’s… he had an accident at work⁠—”

“And? Is he okay?” Daryl is already picking up the phone. “Hello? Hello, yes, it’s Daryl, I’m Denver’s best friend… Oh shit… is he okay? What happened?” He waits, listening intently as I begin to pace. “Okay, that’s good news. Thank fuck. What hospital? We’ll be there soon. Thanks, JJ.”

I glance at him, tears streaking down my face. “D-Denver’s hurt.” He can’t be… he can’t be hurt. Denver is my superman.

Daryl steps in my path, resting his hands on my shoulders. “He’s okay. A beam fell on him and knocked him out. He has some smoke inhalation and broken ribs, but he’s okay, Ad.”

“B-broken ribs?” I screech, tearing at my hair.