Small Town Days [Malec]

Life Tip #20- Dreams Shouldn't Be Illusions

Alec had only seen the fire chief around church and during fire week in elementary school.

But he didn't want to see anyone else more at that moment.

"Where's your sister?" he shouted as he approached.

"I think they're out," Alec said. He inhaled a lungful of smoke and fell into a coughing fit.

"You got your boyfriend in there?"

"He's--"

Alec looked back at Magnus.

The room was starting to swim. His eyes burned.

He hadn't noticed until now.

Then there was Magnus.

"He's here."

"Get over here, boy," the fire chief said.

Magnus.

Alec lifted Magnus up again, half-dragging, half-carrying him over to the window.

"Take him first," Alec said. He passed Magnus through the window.

Alec put his knee on the ledge.

When he wasn't half-way out the window, the entire floor gave in, the bed following into the cavern of fire below.

Alec closed his eyes as he fell into the basket. He didn't get the opportunity to scream.

"We're gonna get you outta here," a voice was saying.

Were they already back on the ground?

A mask covered Alec's mouth.

Alec hadn't known what pure oxygen tasted like. It was sweet.

The most amazing thing he had ever tasted.

"Magnus," Alec mumbled. His eyes still burned.

"Stay calm. Focus on breathing."

Focus.

Focus.

Fo--

"Magnus." Alec's fingers searched for something that wasn't there.

"We have him. Stay calm. Focus on breathing."

How many times was she going to say that?

And who was she?

This didn't make any sense.

He couldn't think.

"Mag--"

"Let's sedate and get him to the hospital."

"No," Alec said. "Don't."

He had to know Magnus was safe. His family too.

"No."

He opened his eyes. The house was still burning in it's blaze of red and orange. Sirens and lights flashed, like the lights of the clubs he once played in.

He was on a gurney, oxygen mask strapped around his face.

And on the gurney next to him was Magnus with a similar set up. He was getting more attention though. EMTs were pulling him into an ambulance.

His EMT, the poor girl, was looking for someone to tell her what to do with him.

"Take me with him," Alec gasped, pulling the mask away from his face. "I have to stay with him."

She was still hesitating.

"Please."

........