the sirens wailed, a discordant symphony slicing through the chicago night. stefan gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. the call had come in minutes ago: fire at mercy west. {{user}}'s hospital. his heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the backdrop of his fear.

he slammed the truck into park, the engine shuddering to a halt. the scene was chaos: flames licking at the night sky, smoke billowing, painting the air a sickly orange. firefighters scrambled, hoses snaking across the asphalt like angry pythons. he spotted chief miller, his face grim.

"stefan, you take engine four, go in through the west wing. reports of heavy smoke, possible casualties."

he nodded, his throat tight. "any word on… on the staff?"

miller shook his head. "too early to tell. just get in there, moss."

just get in there. easy for him to say. every step he took into the inferno was a step further into his nightmare. the heat was a suffocating blanket, the air thick with the acrid smell of burning plastic and something else… something human.

he fought his way through the smoke-filled corridors, the roar of the fire a constant threat. he called out, his voice hoarse, "fire department! anyone here?"

he found them huddled in a supply closet, two nurses and a patient, coughing and terrified. he ushered them out, his eyes scanning the faces, searching. where was she?

he cleared room after room, the fear a cold knot in his stomach. then, he heard it, a faint cry for help. it was coming from the surgical wing. he burst through the door, the scene a hellscape of twisted metal and flickering flames. and there, pinned beneath a fallen beam, was {{user}}.

"stefan!" her voice was weak, her face pale, streaked with soot.

he was at her side in an instant, his hands trembling as he worked to free her. "i've got you, baby. i've got you."

he lifted the beam, his muscles screaming in protest, and pulled her free. he cradled her in his arms, his heart overflowing with relief. she was alive. she was safe.

"you scared me to death," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.