Riley came running around the corner and pulled me from the ground, dragging me back away from the building, calling to Athena and Tigger to follow. They tossed their heads back and put themselves between us and the building.
Now that I was outside, I could hear the fire trucks and ambulance coming down the drive with their sirens blaring and the lights flashing.
The first firefighter ran to us full speed ahead.
“Is there anyone inside?” he asked Riley.
Riley looked down to me.
I shook my head. “All of the horses are out,” I wheezed.
“Paramedics!” the fireman called out behind him.
“One female in her twenties with smoke inhalation and burns,” he shouted.
Before I knew it, someone was placing an oxygen mask over my face. Someone touched my shoulder, and I winced.
The sweater was pulled off my arm, and it was being poked and prodded. All I felt was a burning pain until I didn’t want to feel anything at all.
I got them out. I did it. Riley was going to be so pissed I did that.
Those were my last thoughts as I let sleep consume me.
?
I woke up, and everything was dark. There were a few monitors, and some beeping, which told me I was in the hospital.
Why was I in the hospital?
Then it all came rushing back. The stable had been on fire. I ran in and saved the horses. I couldn’t breathe, and that was the last thing I remembered before now.
I heard some light snoring and turned my head to the right. Riley was laying there with his head lying on his arm. He was holding my hand in his sleep. I gently squeezed his hand, and his head shot up.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I told him.
My throat hurt as I spoke.
“I should say the same to you. God, Emma, you gave us a good scare.”
I ignored that.
“How are the horses?” I asked.
“Good, thanks to you,” he said.
I sighed in relief.
“Is she awake?” William said into the room quietly.
He was standing outside the door so I couldn’t see him and he couldn’t see me.
“Come in, William,” I told him.
“I am so glad you are awake,” he said.
“Me, too.”
“What on earth were you thinking running into a burning building like that?” he demanded, trying to keep the volume of his voice low.
