through your eyes

chapter 27:

My mind raced, searching desperately for a way out. My eyes locked onto a fire hose reel mounted on the wall. Without hesitation, I ripped it free and rushed over to Sasha. Her eyes widened with fear as I began twisting the hose tightly around her waist.

"What are we going to do with this?" she asked, panic creeping into her voice.

I tightened the hose and looked into her terrified eyes. "You need to trust me. Hold on to the hose, no matter what."

"No, no... I can't!" she cried, shaking her head violently. "I can't jump from the sixth floor! I can't do this!"

"Sasha, look at me!" I demanded, gripping her shoulders. "I will never leave you. I need to see you safe. Please... just trust me!"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she gripped the hose tighter, her body trembling. I helped her climb onto the window ledge, my heart hammering in my chest. I could feel time running out, but I couldn't let her sense my fear.

"Don't jump," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "Just lower yourself down slowly, close your eyes, and trust me. I've got you. I won't let go."

she squeez her eyes shut. Slowly, she began to lower herself out of the window, her knuckles white from gripping the hose. The crowd below watched, some filming, others shouting, but all I could focus on was Sasha. My hands screamed with pain as I lowered her inch by inch, the friction burning my skin raw. I could feel every pull.

The people below gasped as we neared safety, Sasha still hanging on. I pushed past the pain, even as my hands turned red and swollen.

"Did we reach the floor yet?" she screamed, her voice shaking with fear.

"Not yet! Keep your eyes closed! Trust me!" I yelled, my muscles straining, veins popping from the effort.

Then, out of nowhere, the deafening crack of a gunshot filled the air. My hand exploded with pain. "Aagh!" I roared in agony, the hose slipping from my grip. Sasha screamed as she suddenly plummeted.

My heart stopped. For a moment, time slowed, and all I could see was her falling toward the ground.

No, no, no! I can't lose her!

My heart stopped. Without thinking, I turned, eyes wide, and saw Mr. Peter standing a few feet away, barely able to stand, but still holding the smoking gun, his face twisted in pain and fury. His body swayed as if he were on the verge of collapsing, but he raised the gun again, aiming at me.

I lunged at him, slamming him against the wall with all the strength I had left. He groaned, falling to his knees. In that split second, I reached out, grabbing the fire hose just before it could slip completely away. I caught it, barely managing to stop Sasha's fall. My arms burned, blood trickling down from the fresh bullet wound, but I held on for dear life.

"Got you!" I gasped, pulling Sasha dowwn inch by inchy. The crowd below erupted into applause as they rushed to help her, pulling her to safety the moment her feet touched the ground. I saw her fall into their arms, alive.