Unexpected Inheritance

15

"Mr. Mackey, can you hear me"

A muffled cough answered him from the back of the house. Ben's heart raced faster. He sprinted down the hall, coughing as the smoke swirled around him, and spotted Mr. Mackey, struggling to get up from the floor.

"Get up, come on" Ben grabbed Mackey's arm, pulling him up with all his strength. "We need to get out now"

"I... I can't," Mr. Mackey groaned

Ben didn't give him a chance to protest. He wrapped an arm around his waist and dragged him toward the front door, barely making it outside before the fire intensified.

By the time they reached the yard, Tuck had already flagged down the sheriff, who was arriving with a few volunteers. Ben took a deep breath, his heart still racing as he handed Mr. Mackey over to the waiting people.

"You alright?" Tuck asked, wide-eyed, as Ben caught his breath.

"I'm fine," Ben said, glancing over at the house, the flames growing higher. "Just glad we got them out."

The sheriff walked up, tipping his hat. "Good job, Warren. Real good. You saved them."

Ben just nodded, his face still grim. He had acted without thinking, just reacting, but as he looked at Tuck—who stood there, watching him with a quiet admiration—he realized how much he'd just set in motion.

After the fire trucks arrived, Ben finally stepped away from the scene, his clothes singed and covered in soot. He spotted Tuck standing by the fire truck, looking concerned, and motioned for him to come over.

"We're alright," Ben said, trying to catch his breath. "They're safe."

Tuck nodded, but his face was a mixture of relief and confusion. "You... you just went inside without thinking? What if—"

"Benjamin Frederick Warren" Miranda's voice echoed with concern, followed by her hurried footsteps. "What the hell were you thinking?"

"How?"

"Obviously I called my mom when her husband ran into a house fire. C'mon Pop."

Ben sighed and turned, only to see her storming toward him, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Tuck quickly moved to the side, giving his mom and Ben some space.

"Miranda, baby, relax—" Ben started, but she cut him off.

"No," she snapped, hands on her hips. "No, I'm not going to relax. You ran into a burning house. What were you thinking?

"I was thinking that people were inside, and I couldn't just stand there," Ben replied, running a hand through his hair. "They were both in there. I wasn't leaving them."

"I get that," Miranda said, voice still shaking, "but you ran in there without thinking about Tuck or what could've happened to you." She stepped closer, looking him over, her eyes scanning him for injuries. "You could've been trapped. You could've gotten yourself killed. What if the roof collapsed? What if there was a gas leak or something else that could've exploded?"

"I'm fine," Ben reassured her. "Everyone's okay."

"Ben, I know you're a hero in this town, but I need you to come home in one piece" Miranda's voice softened, but there was still an edge to it.

Ben stepped closer, his tone serious now. "I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to worry you. I just had to act." He paused for a moment, taking her hand. "I'm not going anywhere."

She let out a breath, her anger cooling, though the worry was still evident in her eyes. "Next time, Ben, promise me you'll think first. I can't lose you."