BLOOD OR LOVE

OH NO!

Sirens pierced the air.

"WAAAAAHHH! WAAAAAHHH! FIRE ALERT! APARTMENT INFERNO!"

Firefighters sprang into action, racing to the scene.
Captain's voice crackled through the Walkie-talkie:

"How many trapped?"

Officer's urgent response."Ten, Captain."

"What's the cause?"

"Electrical fire."

Captain's command."Let's move!"

Firefighters replied in unison:
"ROGER, CAPTAIN!!!"

Sirens wailed, engines roared.

"SPLASH! SPLASH!!"

The police secured the perimeter.
"Back away! Let firefighters work!"

An officer approached a distraught man."Sir, are you okay?"

The man gasped, panicked:
"No! My daughter's inside! Asthmatic! Fifteen years old!" Tears streamed down his face.
"She ran away from school. Our apartment's on fire! Please, save her!"

"Captain Morgan, there's a child inside, 15 years old, asthmatic!"

Natalie's voice echoed through the Walkie-talkie. "Ma'am, can you hear me?"

A faint response."OUGH! OUGH!"

Natalie reassured. "Don't worry, we'll get you out soon."

Dean's voice crackled through the Walkie-talkie."Copy that."

Captain's urgent briefing.
"Asthmatic girl at the fire's origin. Rescue her ASAP."

"Roger." Dean replied.

His thoughts racing.
"Ten minutes since the fire started, five minutes to arrive... she must be unconscious."

Suddenly,
"I see her!" Dean exclaimed, rushing toward the girl.

A deafening crash shook the floor:

"CRASH!!!"

Captain Morgan's worried voiced, "This is bad!"

Dean's heart sank as the roof collapsed, barely missing him.
He crawled to the window, Michael's face a welcome sight.

"Josiah!" Dean yelled.

"Dean!" Michael replied.

Dean handed over the girl.
"Take her!"

But as he turned to escape, the floor gave way beneath him.

"Dean!" Captain Morgan shouted.

Dean's pained cry.
"Ahhh!!!"

A shard of glass pierced his stomach.

Michael's urgent voice."Dean, hold my hand!"

Arms outstretched, Michael reached for Dean.
Dean clung to a support with one hand and grabbed Michael's with the other.

"Almost there, buddy!" Michael said, pulling him out.

"He's bleeding!" Michael exclaimed as paramedics rushed in.

The captain ordered Natalie."Go with Michael."

Natalie sprinted after them, tears streaming down her face.

"Hang in, Dean! You'll be fine!" Michael said, holding Dean's hands.

"Don't leave us like this!" Natalie added, sobbing.

Dean groaned. "Stop overreacting, guys! I'm not- OUCH!!"

A paramedic intervened. "Sir, don't move! That wound's deeper than you think."

Natalie sniffled, "Dean, hang on!"

At the hospital, doctors scrambled,"He needs stitches! Operating room, stat!"

A doctor marveled, "How's he still conscious?"

Michael yelled, "Dean, whatever happens, we love you, man!"

Dean retorted, "Shut up! I ain't dying... yet!"

Dean woke up to a sea of concerned faces.

Michael's warm hug made him wince,"OUCH!!"

Natalie scolded, "Watch it, Michael!"

Josiah's voice trembled, "We were really worried, Dean."

Dean reassured,"I'm fine. No need to worry."

Captain's pride swelled, "You sacrificed everything for that child. She's awake, no worse for wear."

Dean's humility shone,"Thank you, Captain."

Josiah added,"The girl's here, wanting to thank you."

"Bring her in."

The girl's eyes widened at the sight of Dean bandaged but shirtless.

"Oh my God! He's so handsome!"

Micheal chuckled,"Why's that surprising?"

Dean laughed, "I'm fluttered. Just promise me: no sneaking out from school. It isn't good skipping class. You nearly died."

She nodded in comprehension.

Lilly's father bowed deeply,"Thank you... I owe you forever."

Dean's kindness glowed,"It's my job, sir. Just care for her; she's sweet."

Lilly squealed,"Daddy, he called me sweet!"

Laughter filled the room.

As they left, a knock on the door announced the doctor.

Micheal answered,"Come in."

Dean's heart skipped a beat.

The doctor's smile stunned him,
"Hi, Mr. Dean. I'm Lisa McCarthy, intern here."

Dean's mind blanked,"It can't be... Lisa?"

His emotions swirled: Shock. Joy. Confusion.

"Oh no!"