Chapter 272: Just pretend I never appeared in your world.
"Even if I get hurt, I can't let these children be in danger!"
James' jaw set with determination. In a split second, he made his decision. He braced himself, back muscles bunching as he planted his feet firmly, preparing to absorb the impact as best he could.
The ornate chandelier, wrenched free from its moorings, slammed into his back with a sickening crunch. The blow sent a jolt of pain through him, but it was the searing heat of the metal, pressed against his skin, that made him cry out.
Smaller lights, dangling from the shattered frame, rained down around him, striking his head and shoulders. He tasted blood, the metallic tang filling his mouth.
He swayed, his vision blurring, but somehow remained standing. It was a testament to his sheer will, and his unwavering focus on the precious lives he held in his arms. Anyone else would have crumpled under the weight of that chandelier, the force of the impact, the searing pain.
Outside, the crowd gasped, a collective intake of breath followed by horrified silence. Jennifer and Harmony watched in terror, their hearts seizing in their chests.
Tears streamed down the faces of onlookers, their expressions mirroring the horror unfolding before them. They were ordinary people, unaccustomed to such scenes of raw courage and terrifying danger.
But James, fueled by adrenaline and a fierce determination, barely registered the pain. He clutched the children close and ran, his lungs burning, his legs screaming for respite.
Subsequently, they were free at last. An invigorating chill enveloped him, providing solace from the oppressive warmth of the infernal blaze. His legs buckled, and he sank to the ground, gasping for breath.
But even as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him, he gently released the children, forcing a reassuring smile onto his lips. "It's okay," he rasped, his voice hoarse and strained. "You're safe now."
A wave of pain shot through his throat as he spoke, a searing reminder of the heat he'd just escaped.
Silence descended upon the crowd. Two thousand pairs of eyes were fixed on him, wide with awe, admiration, and a profound sense of gratitude. James, the unassuming man who lived amongst them, was a hero. He had faced down death and emerged victorious, six lives saved from the inferno.
Their gazes traced the path of the flames across his soot-stained skin, the singed hair, and the tattered clothing burned through in places, revealing raw, blistered flesh. The smell of smoke clung to him, a stark reminder of the hell he'd walked through.
And then they saw it: a gaping hole in the back of his shirt, revealing a gash where the chandelier had struck. Blood and sweat mingled on his skin, a testament to the sacrifice he'd made.
The sight of his wounds, a physical manifestation of his courage, brought fresh tears to their eyes. What kind of man faced such danger and endured such pain, for the sake of strangers?
Jennifer and Harmony stared, speechless, their faces streaked with tears. A wave of guilt washed over Jennifer, the memory of her harsh words a fresh wound in her heart.
Harmony, too, was overwhelmed with emotion. She had never seen James like this, broken and battered, yet radiating a strength that defied his injuries.
"Water," James croaked, pushing himself to his feet. "Someone... Please... Water."
His words broke the spell that had fallen over the crowd. Two young men, their faces etched with concern, rushed forward, thrusting bottles of water into his hands. "Here, hero," one of them said, his voice thick with emotion. "Drink."
James accepted the water gratefully, downing it in a few long gulps. The cool liquid soothed his parched throat, but it did little to quench the fire that still raged within the building.
"More?" someone asked, pressing another bottle into his hand.
He shook his head, his gaze drawn back to the inferno. He couldn't rest, not yet. Not while Sapphira was still trapped inside. "There's... A little girl..." he gasped, his voice raspy. "I have to... Go back..."
He spoke with a chilling calmness, as if discussing something mundane, not a return to the inferno that could very well claim his life.
His words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the danger he was about to face. The teachers, their eyes filled with tears, could only marvel at his selflessness.
"James, no!" Jennifer screamed, her voice raw with terror. "You can't! You'll die!"
She surged forward, her fists clenched, her face contorted with a desperate fear she'd never known. "I'm begging you... please... don't go back in there."
Harmony added her voice to Jennifer's pleas. "James, think! You've done enough! You've saved six lives! Don't throw your own life away!"
James turned, his gaze meeting theirs. A sad smile touched his lips. "With great power..." he began, his voice barely a whisper, "It comes great responsibility. There's a little girl in there who needs me. I can't turn my back on her. If this is my fate... Then so be it. And if I don't make it back..." He paused, his gaze lingering on Jennifer's face. "Just... Forget me. Pretend I never existed."
And with that, he turned and disappeared back into the inferno, leaving behind a crowd stunned into silence.
"No!" Jennifer screamed, her voice breaking. She lunged forward, desperate to follow him, to pull him back from the brink.
But strong arms held her back.
"Let me go!" she cried, struggling against their grip. "I have to find him!"
Her words were cut short by a deafening roar. A shockwave rippled through the air, pushing back the crowd as a fiery explosion erupted from the building.
Jennifer crumpled to the ground; the air knocked from her lungs. Harmony stood frozen, her eyes wide with horror, as debris rained down around them.
The world seemed to tilt on its axis, plunging them all into a nightmare of fire and fear.
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