CHAPTER 2
Benjamin
Our engine hasn’t even stopped, as I jump off the side and start booking it towards the backyard.
I heard a woman scream and in times like these fractions of a second make all the difference.
I’ve never ran so fast in my life. It’s one thing to run along the beach each morning against the hands of a stopwatch. It’s entirely another when you know lives are in danger and your adrenaline is pumping through your veins.
I look up and see the tree line burning. “Over here!” I yell back to my crew.
I look over my shoulder and see the hose is already on its way.
I see a girl running like a chicken with its head cut off. I subconsciously calculate her speed and distance and change my direction, intercepting her and grabbing her around the waist as I’m in full stride.
I scoop her up, and see the grass on fire in front of us. My training kicks in and my eyes immediately scan for a safe place.
Nothing. The fire has circled us, and if I don’t get us out of here fast we’re in deep trouble.
I hear something off in the distance and spot two middle-aged guys panting.
Thank god!
I take off towards the pool, seeing the window of opportunity closing right in front of my face.
The fire is tearing across the grass and it’s a race to see who can get to the pool first.
I’m not going to lose. No one dies on my watch. I get in, and get 'em out safe…every time.
The light brown, dry grass is quickly turning red in front of me. I feel my legs burn, but I don’t care.
The pool is close, but the flames are closer.
It’s dark, but I can see the edge of the pool.
“Out of the way!” I yell.
I don’t even have time to get my steps in order.
I’m running at top speed and just as I feel the grass turn to concrete under my boots I jump.
We’re floating through the air for what seems like forever. I reach my hand up, tucking her head into my chest, preparing her for impact. I wrap my body around hers and do a barrel roll in the air, in case we hit something hard. My body will absorb the impact, keeping her safe.
Splash!
My mind’s racing. Water. How deep is this pool?
I kick hard in my boots, holding my breath. I’ve got to get her to the surface.
I kick again. My suit is too heavy.
I kick like a wild man and suddenly feel the air against my face.
“Uh-uh!” she coughs, but she’s alive.
I continue kicking, and holding her above the water, realizing we’re in the deep end.
“Hold on!” I say as I roll over onto my back, keeping her on top of me as I kick and kick and kick like my life depends on it. Mine may or may not, but hers certainly does. Civilians aren’t trained for this kind of smoke inhalation.
I’m exhausted, but I keep kicking. I straighten my body and feel my feet begin to sink, just before they’re met by the bottom of the pool.
I stand realizing we’ve made it to the shallow end, where the water’s only three feet deep.
“We did it!” I say, feeling the rush of saving this girl’s life.
She’s in my arms, panting and coughing.
For the first time I get a good look at her. Damn, this girl is absolutely beautiful.
Her coughing slows and then quickly stops.
The rush of the moment, the way she looks, and how she feels in my arms overcomes me.
My gloved hand takes her by the back of her head and I bring her face to mine, kissing her like we’re the last two people on earth.