The fire roared, consuming the apartment complex. You woke up to the horrible smell of smoke and your chest tightening with each pull of a breath, it felt suffocating.

Your eyes burned as you staggered out of bed, panic clawing at your chest as you searched for an exit. Everything was blocked, trying to resort to stuffing blankets under your bedroom door.

You dropped onto the floor, vision blurring as the dread crept in. This was it. This was how it all ended.

A loud crack shattered the silence, a deep commanding voice cutting through the roaring flames like a lifeline.

“Is anyone in here!?” The sound of heavy boots clambering through your apartment before your door was splintered open, a figure standing in the doorway; silhouetted by the fire behind him,

Simon spotted you and without hesitation crossed the room. Before you registered what was happening he lifted you effortlessly off the floor and slung you over his shoulders in a fireman’s carry.

The rush of the cool night air hit you like a blessing when he got you out of there. The contrast made your lungs ache. Simon set you down in the grass, away from danger; kneeling next to you.

He ripped off his oxygen mask, helmet, face shield and Kevlar hood; pressing the mask to your mouth. Your body felt distant, like you weren’t quite there, his words barely breaking through the haze as the world titled.

“Going unresponsive!” His voice yelled out before the darkness consumed you, the only thing you felt was the press of his knuckles against your chest in a sternal rub.

A few seconds later and you gasped awake, the pain pulling you back to reality, his face pulled in concern as he stared down at you.

“There you are,” he murmured, his voice much softer but still firm. “There you go. Just breathe. Take it easy.”

You clung to the sound of his voice, his gloved thumbs gently rubbing your shoulder. “The paramedics are on their way. You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”