The Day Our Promise Breaks

He couldn't afford to panic. The fire department was at least fifteen minutes away, even at their fastest.

With a blaze this fierce, fifteen minutes was too long-Eve and Ms. Josephine wouldn't survive.noveldrama

Charles didn't hesitate. He pounded on the first-floor neighbor's door.

As soon as they opened, he explained the fire upstairs, urging them to alert building management and help evacuate everyone. He borrowed their bathroom, turned on the shower, and drenched himself in cold water from head to toe.

Soaking wet, Charles tore up the stairs to Evelyn's floor.

The heat intensified with every step; by the time he reached the landing, his skin prickled with the searing burn.

If it felt this unbearable outside, what was it like for Ms. Josephine and Eve inside? His heart clenched with dread.

He grabbed the hall's emergency fire equipment, yanked out a small extinguisher, and blasted the flames at the door until the fire subsided.

The extinguisher, now empty, became his battering ram. The door, already weakened by the fire, gave way with a crash.

Charles dropped the extinguisher, shrugged off his sopping coat, and held it over his head as a shield. Without hesitation, he plunged into the inferno.

"Eve! Ms. Josephine!"

Smoke billowed, thick and choking. Flames leapt everywhere.

Even drenched, the heat devoured him as soon as he stepped inside.

Fighting the pain, Charles sprinted to the bathroom, soaked himself again, and then charged into the master bedroom.

Ms. Josephine was in there-her health wasn't good.

He shoved the door open.

Ms. Josephine, like Evelyn, was trapped in the corner, half-conscious from smoke inhalation.

Charles wrapped his coat around her, gritting against the burning pain as he carried her out.

He handed her off to a property manager who had just arrived.

"Mr. Jenkins, the fire department is only a few minutes away—"

It was Charles who'd convinced Maple Grove to switch management companies; everyone here knew him.

Seeing him risk his life to go back inside, the staff tried to stop him.

"It's too dangerous! The fire is out of control!"

"Get everyone to the hospital. Now!" Charles ordered, then raced back into the flames.

He repeated the process-soaking himself thoroughly-before dashing into the guest room.

Evelyn was already collapsed on the floor, barely breathing.

"Eve!" Charles's heart jolted as he rushed to her side, wrapping her in his coat.

He scooped her up, holding her tightly.

"Don't be afraid. I won't let anything happen to you."

The fire had already dried the water from his body, his skin blistering from the heat.

Every step was agony, but Charles held Evelyn firmly and pushed toward the door.

Just as they neared the exit, the entryway cabinet toppled, crashing down toward them.

A few strides from safety.

Charles lifted his arm at the last

second, bracing the falling cabinet

swil net

shield Evelyn in his arms. SW

His skin burned, pain lancing through his arm.

His face turned ashen.

With all he inhaled rescuing Josephine and Evelyn, Charles's strength was fading fast. As he struggled to hold the cabinet back, he saw Brooks appear in the doorway.

Brooks didn't hesitate-he charged in.

At the last possible moment, as arms buckled, he pushed

out of his embrace angels

toward Brooks. Content betongs to

Evelyn tumbled into Brooks's arms.

The cabinet crashed down on Charles, pinning him beneath it.

"Charles!" Brooks called out, wanting to help, but Evelyn was limp in his arms.

With only a heartbeat's pause, Brooks scooped up Evelyn and dashed out of the blazing apartment.