Chapter 2

Fragmented fire department radio communications crackled through my car radio: "...situation worse than expected...need fire investigator..."

I frowned. Why would a leak require an investigator?

Ten minutes later, I saw the distant glow. The entire chemical plant was engulfed in orange flames, thick smoke billowing straight up into the sky. Police had already set up a perimeter, pushing onlookers back to a safe distance.

I got out and headed toward the police line. A young officer stopped me.

"Ma'am, please step back. It's dangerous here."

"I'm a federal fire investigator." I pulled out my credentials. "I have clearance to access the scene."

The officer looked at my badge, then at my pajamas, hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside.

'Damn it, forgot to change clothes,' I thought, unconsciously tugging at my pajama collar as I felt a flash of embarrassment.

Crossing the police line, I scanned the area looking for Phoenix. In the temporary command area behind the safety perimeter, I spotted a familiar figure—Daphne had set up a small tent with "Psychological Relief Station" written on it.

I walked quickly toward her. "Daphne?"

She looked up, surprise flashing across her face before quickly returning to a professional smile. "Aurora? I'm providing psychological support for the rescue personnel. I was just about to head closer to check on the firefighters—"

BOOM!

A small explosion erupted from the main building, flames instantly shooting dozens of feet higher. I saw several firefighters rushing out of the building, and I immediately recognized Phoenix's tall figure among them.

"Phoenix!" I ran toward him. "Your gas mask!"

He turned around, his expression darkening the moment he saw me. "Aurora, get off this scene immediately!"

"You forgot this!" I shoved the mask into his hands.

"Damn it!" He took the mask, guilt flashing in his eyes, but more than that was anger. "You shouldn't be here!"

Before I could respond, he pressed his backup radio into Daphne's hands. "Emergency contact only," he said tersely, then put on the mask and turned back toward the burning building.

I stood there, unease rising in my chest. As a fire investigator, I instinctively observed the fire's progression.

Another explosion rang out, this one more violent. Part of the building began to collapse, concrete and steel raining down like hail. I instinctively ran toward the nearest cover, only to find that Daphne and I had been separated—I was behind a pile of debris on the west wing, while she had somehow ended up on the east wing.

The backup radio crackled: "Help! I'm trapped, someone save me!" It was Daphne's voice, filled with panic and desperation.

I pressed the talk button: "I'm in the west wing, but I can get myself out."

Through the smoke, I carefully observed the direction of the fire's spread. This was definitely not a simple leak—there were obvious signs of deliberate ignition near the gas valves, and the burn patterns on the metal surfaces didn't match those of an accidental leak at all.

"This wasn't an accidental leak!" I shouted into the radio. "Someone deliberately ignited the gas valves!"

A terse voice crackled back through the static: "Copy that, Aurora! All units prioritize rescue first—we'll deal with this later!"

Daphne's crying came through the radio, growing more pitiful: "Save me, please, I don't want to die here!"

I saw Phoenix's figure moving through the smoke, hesitating between two directions. The building structure was severely damaged; the entire building could have a secondary major explosion at any moment. With his capabilities, he could only save one person.

"Phoenix, I'm fine, I can find my way out!" I shouted into the radio.

But Daphne's voice grew more desperate: "Save me, please, I don't want to die here!"

I saw Phoenix stop and look toward me one last time. That look broke my heart—full of apology, pain, and some emotion I couldn't understand.

Then he turned and rushed toward Daphne's direction.

RUMBLE—

The secondary explosion happened. The entire east wing collapsed, massive steel beams falling from above. I saw Phoenix shield Daphne with his body, then get struck in the back by a thick steel beam.

"Phoenix! No!"

I rushed out from cover, running desperately toward the collapse site. The thick smoke made me cough uncontrollably, dust stung my eyes so I could barely see, but I had to get there.

When other rescue personnel arrived, I was already kneeling beside Phoenix's body in the rubble. His back had been crushed by the steel beam, blood already congealed.

Daphne sat not far away, crying "in terror." Strangely, she had almost no injuries, and even her clothes weren't very dirty.

"It's all my fault," she sobbed. "If I hadn't come here..."

"Aurora, we should leave." Daphne stood up, her voice gentle but carrying a coldness I'd never noticed before. "Phoenix would want us to be safe."

Safe.

My husband died saving her, and she was talking about being safe.

The ambulance sirens grew closer, but it was too late for Phoenix. I knelt beside him, looking at his closed eyes, pain washing over me like a tide.