"Thomas."
"James. You...'re... naked."
"It's a long story, but I heard what happened. Are you alright?"
"I can't... breathe..." Thomas gasped to James.
"What?"
"I can't... arh..." Thomas gasped.
"No. No, please Thomas," James said as Thomas collapsed against him. "I've got you. Help! Help!" James shouted as he lay Thomas on the ground.
"What's wrong?" Branson asked as he came over.
"Thomas is having trouble breathing. We have to help him."
"We will. I will get the car."
"You can't drive. You've inhaled smoke as well."
"If we do nothing, we will die," Branson said and he rushed off.
~
"Thomas, please wake up," James begged and Thomas felt him grip his hand. Then he felt him kiss it.
"James?"
"Thomas? Oh, you're alright."
"Fire..."
"It's been sorted. You inhaled a lot of smoke. You could have died."
"But you're here," Thomas said with a smile.
"I am. They are giving you oxygen. It's a new treatment but it seems to be working."
"I'm glad."
"Not as glad as I am."
"How long... has it been?"
"A few hours. Not long."
"Thank you."
"Get some rest," James said and Thomas did so.
He returned to the house two days later, and he was given light duties until his lungs had fully recovered.
