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“Nash!” a disembodied voice said

“Get me the fuck out of here” Nash reached for the kittens, ensuring he had all three

On the other side of the , a fire ashards of , then he grabbed onto Nash by one arripped the side of his jeans A second later, Nash was yanked froony as he landed on top of the fireman

“We gottahim away

Another explosion rocked the ground as the fireman released Nash He dropped to his knees then flopped onto his back, still cradling the kittens in his arhed, desperate for the fresh air he could taste but couldn’t sees

“Nash!” his mother screamed

He stared at the thick black s in the air until he spotted hisa fit of coughing

“That was stupid,” his mother chided “You could have killed yourself”

“Still here,” he ain

Nash blinked once, then a beauty filled his vision Megan stood next to hisover her mouth Her face was blotchy, and tears flooded her face

Ma pressed her hand to Nash’s forehead “You’re really okay?”

“Truly” He offered her the kittens “They need water”

“Yes,” Ma said, rising “Yes, I’ll do that” She strode aith the kittens, , “Poor, poor babies”

Megan slowly cah When the last bit of gunk cleared froers over her cheek “Are those tears in your eyes for me, Freckles?”

She grabbed his face “You are stupid Seriously stupid What in the hell were you thinking?”