They all stood in front of the burning building, eyes wide, lungs barely breathing, as the fire devoured everything. The flames danced like demons in celebration, consuming steel, glass, and everything in between.
No one spoke.
Eric held Anne back as she thrashed, her voice raw, tears already streaming down her face.
"Tyler! Tyler is inside! Please, we have to get him!"
She screamed, stretching her hand toward the blaze as if she could summon him out with just her will.
Eric swallowed hard. "We can't go in, Anne. We can't rush into that. We'll die too."
His voice cracked, but his face stayed blank numb, like the others gathering behind them.
The rest of the team arrived, silent, haunted. None of them had the courage to say it aloud, but they were all thinking it: no one survives that.
Still... they waited.
For a miracle.
