Our Guys

I nodded, and the guy called Jonas ran in with the other two guys. I had studied fire engineering, and Ted needed me to brainstorm a way to vent the wire on the one side and draw it toward the oxygen we gave it so it was safe for the men to start fighting it on the other side.

I was explaining to Ted that a fire could consume itself if left alone for long enough when shouts from inside were heard, followed by a loud crash.

“Shit,” Ted said, and we both ran. I watched as the building collapsed in front of me, one half crumpling like it was made of paper.

“How many are still in there?” Ted shouted.

“Three,” came the reply, and I could taste the fear.

“Any civilians?”

“Negative.”

Shit. They were ours.

The firemen turned their attention to the three men inside, forgetting about the fire for the moment. Ambulances were already on scene, and EMTs were on standby, ready to take care of anyone coming out.

“We found them!” Tyler shouted from inside. He had gone in with Sam and Jay to retrieve