DESIRE ME IF YOU CAN [EN] - Chapter 36 - 36

Ezra shouted as he put on his oxygen mask. I'll show you loyalty. Firefighters never leave a man behind. We go in together, we come out together. Even if we die trying!

“How long's Dane been in there?”

At someone's question, Wilkins answered.

“Lost contact about ten minutes ago. We need to hurry.”

Firefighters with tense faces scrambled here and there to pack their gear. Hands busily strapped on oxygen tanks, checking protective equipment. Standing amidst the burning smell and smoke, their figures were filled with grim resolve.

Watching them, Grayson could only think how pathetic it was. He'll come out on his own soon anyway. How long can he last in those flames? Why make such a fuss over something that will resolve itself if they just wait?

The reason was obvious. They just wanted to criticize Grayson or show off as if they had some great bond.

He crossed his arms indifferently. The urgent footsteps, the short, rough orders pouring from the radio, even the heat from the burning house—it all felt excessive.

“Alright, let's go in!”

When Ezra shouted, having finished his preparations, everyone nodded solemnly. We will bring Dane out, no matter what. Just as the group, united by grim determination, was about to rush inside...

Rumble.

As if something exploded inside, a thunderous boom erupted. Engulfed in flames, the house buckled, finally losing its balance to collapse in on itself. In an instant, massive debris poured down; flames soared above it again.

The firefighters, about to enter, stopped in shock, eyes wide. For a moment, everyone held their breath. That brief silence didn't last long.

“No!”

At someone's scream, everyone finally realized the reality. Flames burned fiercely atop the fallen debris; immense heat surged like a wave.

“Damn it! Dane! Dane!”

With that, the firefighters screamed in despair.

***

Meanwhile, left alone, Dane moved freely to find the attic. Luckily, he found the mechanism quickly. The button on the floor was likely placed there to be easily pressed by a dog.

Unlike his concern that the fire might have damaged the mechanism, the ladder-style stairs unfolded as soon as he hit the button, as if waiting. Climbing up, he found another button above. The owner must have taught the dog to press the button after climbing up to ensure safety.

In this case, however, it was the wrong move. In a fire, being downstairs was better. The probability of dying from smoke inhalation was higher than burning to death.

Perhaps designed with care, the ventilator installed on one wall was quite large; it had stopped working, however. Though the fan would have spun diligently with power, it was useless once the fire cut the line. Consequently, the attic was already filled with thick smoke.

Hitting the button to retract the stairs, Dane searched inside. The dog must be hiding in a corner somewhere. Unfortunately, the place was packed with junk—enough to make finding even a large dog time-consuming. Clearing things away, Dane considered it fortunate that the fire hadn't reached here yet; everything was flammable material, ready to act as kindling.

“Charlie! Charlie, are you here?”

Dane shouted again, searching for the dog.

“Charlie, I'm here to save you! Come out! Charlie!”

Outside, the sound of the building collapsing continued. It wouldn't hold much longer. What if he's not here either? Then I might have to give up.

...Maybe I can check the kitchen one more time.

Visualizing the house interior he saw on his way in, he quickly planned his next move just in case...

“Charlie!”

Finally spotting the large dog lying behind a big trunk, Dane ran over immediately. He hurriedly picked Charlie up; the dog remained limp, not moving an inch.

Checking the pulse quickly, he found a faint heartbeat. Without hesitation, Dane took off his mask, placing it over the dog's snout. The size didn't fit, of course, yet supplying even a little fresh oxygen would help.

“Cough, cough.”

Sucking in smoke, Dane hacked violently. He convulsed, coughing repeatedly while hugging the dog.

I need to get out of here fast. The stairs would collapse completely soon. Visualizing an escape route in reverse this time, he hit the button.

BOOM!

With a tremendous roar, the house shook violently. Dane almost dropped the dog. Rolling once on the floor with the animal in his arms instead, he scrambled up to check his surroundings. He wasn't sure exactly what happened; one thing was certain: this house would collapse completely very soon.

The stairs might have already crumbled. It was definitely not the time to gamble on mere possibilities. Dane looked around urgently. The only remaining way is...

Seeing the stopped ventilator, he moved immediately. No time to think. Laying the dog down carefully nearby, Dane took the axe from his back with both hands. Without hesitation, he began striking the fan.

***

Massive black smoke billowed from the crumbling mansion. The firefighters, who had been about to rush in, stood frozen pale before screaming belatedly.

“Dane! Dane!”

“No way! Dane can't be in there!”

“Charlie! Charlieee!”

“W-where is the attic? Which side?”

“Where is the attic, tell me quickly!”

“No, Charlie! Huuuuh... Charlieeee!”

“Tell us, damn it!”

“Just go in, it's still okay! We can do it!”

“No! If it blows again, we're done!”

“Dane... Dane!”

Amidst the chaos, screams of despair and pain continued. Just then.

“Wait, look over there!”

Someone shouted suddenly, pointing to one side. Everyone's gaze turned to one spot simultaneously, followed by a collective gasp of surprise.

The large fan protruding from the roof started to give way; soon, the blades flew off. The briefly visible axe disappeared, replaced by a crowbar removing parts of the remaining ventilator.

Everyone watched tensely. Don't tell me... please. Watching with desperate hope, they saw the last piece fly off. Finally, someone leaned out through the gaping vent.

The moment a tall, reddish-blond man appeared, cheers erupted among the onlookers. It was Dane Stryker.

“It's Dane! Dane is there!”

Following the emotional shout, cheers poured out from everywhere.

“Dane! Dane Stryker!”

“Dane! Classic Dane! I knew that bastard would make it!”

“Ladder! Get a ladder up there! Move!”

“Connect it to the roof quickly! Fast!”

“Come on, hurry up! What are you doing? I'll do it, move!”

Amidst the loudly moving firefighters, Grayson stood silently watching Dane. He still did nothing; no one cared.

Meanwhile, Dane was attempting to escape through the broken vent. Whatever happened to his mask, his face was blackened with ash and dust. Seeing him cough intermittently from smoke inhalation yet emerge onto the roof with firm determination was somehow touching.

Grayson soon realized what happened to the mask Dane had been wearing. An ill-fitting mask was draped over the snout of the large dog Dane was holding.

Grayson frowned slightly.

Going that far? For a dog?

Even while coughing violently, Dane steadfastly yielded the mask to the dog, waiting for his colleagues to bring the ladder. Grayson continued to watch Dane.