Chapter 21

“Monica!” Andrew cried out hoarsely for what seemed to the hundredth time, but there was still no response.  He listened closely as his heart raced frantically.  She was still breathing, though barely.

            “Oh please, Father,” He sobbed in between fits of coughing as the flames grew closer still,

            “I don’t think angels can die, but Father, I’m afraid!  I am so afraid. Your will be done, but please, if it is Your will, send us help!”

            Still holding Monica’s limp body in his arms, he clutched her closer to his chest as the flames came within inches of them.  His tears fell unashamedly as he buried his face in her auburn hair,

            “I’m sorry, Angel Girl.  I said I’d get you out of this, but I don’t know how.  I don’t know how!”

            “But God knows how, baby,”

            Andrew’s head jerked up at the wonderfully familiar voice that came in strong despite the cracking and popping of the hot flames,

            “Tess!” He cried out weakly, his tear-filled eyes flooding with relief at the sight of his friend.

            Tess, too, had tears in her eyes at the sight before her.  Monica looked lifeless and each breath she took, even though they were shallow, seemed to be a struggle, and her Angel Boy looked as though he were ready to drop as he coughed violently, trying to clear the smoke from his lungs.

            “Hang in here with me a little longer, Andrew.  C’mon baby, we’ve gotta get you both out of here now!”

            Weakly, Andrew struggled to his feet, still holding his best friend in his shaking arms.  Tess wrapped her arm around his waist to help support him, seeing how drained he was.  She then closed her eyes and offered up prayers to the Father, asking for Him to deliver she and her beloved babies from this fire that was threatening to consume them.

            Andrew watched as the flames that covered the stairs to the attic suddenly parted, leaving them a clear path to safety.  They wasted no time in getting out of the attic and as Andrew turned his head one last time to the spot where he and Monica had been just moments before, he saw it was now consumed in flames.  Shuddering, he turned away as they continued their descent down the stairs and out of the house.

            As soon as they were outside, Andrew fell weakly to his knees, though he was careful in laying his friends lifeless body on the ground.  As soon as the cool night air hit his smoke filled lungs he began to cough violently.  He felt Tess’ hand running through his hair, which was also filled with smoke and he was grateful for the calming her presence brought him.  He felt his head begin to spin and he murmured her name, but he never felt Tess catch him as he lost consciousness. 

            Tess lowered her Angel Boy to the ground gently,

            “That’s okay, baby,” She whispered softly to him,

            “You did well, Andrew.  You did very well and there is help on the way.”

            She then turned her attention to Monica, her eyes sympathetic for the young angel before her,

            “You’re gonna be just fine, baby,” She said gently, smoothing the hair back from her friend’s face, which was streak with black from the smoke,

            “You’ve been through a lot, Angel Girl, but I promise, it will all be all right in the end.”

            Tess looked up, hearing the sirens that were growing nearer and she offered up a silent prayer of thanks for the safety of her dearest friends. 

            She stood back as the paramedics and the firefighters arrived, and let them tend to the human needs of the two unconscious angels.  Her eyes moved to the top of the house, and seeing it completely consumed in flames, tears filled her eyes for what could have happened.

            “Was it you who got them out of the house?” A male voice disturbed her thoughts as she turned to face a uniformed policeman.

            “It was me, with God’s help,” Tess replied, her eyes moving once again to Andrew and Monica, who by this time had oxygen masks over their faces, as they were being prepared for transportation to the hospital.

            “Well, ma’am, looks like you’re a hero,” He smiled warmly at her, as he shook his head at the fire,

            “Gotta wonder how these things get started.”

            Tess sighed softly, already knowing the answer to that,

            “I’m not as concerned with being a hero as I am with my friends.  May I ride to the hospital with them?”

            “Absolutely,” He replied, stepping back so she could pass, as they were loading the two unsuspecting angels into the ambulance.

            Tess sat down between the two gurneys in the vehicle and gently took each of their hands into hers,

            “It’s gonna be fine, babies.  It’s gonna be fine.”