Fractured Promises

Chapter 25: The rescue

STANLEY

Stanley's heart thundered in his chest as he stood at the edge of the abandoned building, his face pale, his hands clenched into fists.

The call from Marcus had shattered his world. Lily.

Trapped.

Fear coiled through him like a serpent, wrapping tight around his ribs and squeezing until it was almost impossible to breathe.

He had rushed to the site, leaving his car behind when traffic refused to move, sprinting through crowded streets like a man possessed.

Now, standing here, seeing the trembling walls and hearing the grim tones of the rescue team, his soul felt as fragile as the crumbling structure before him.

"It's unstable," one of the rescue officers said. "One wrong move and the whole thing could come down."

Stanley's stomach twisted.

His gaze locked on the building, the place where Lily and her friend Alina were trapped.

He could almost hear her voice, could almost feel her laughter still resonating in his ears.

How could this be happening? How could she be trapped in such a nightmare?

He refused to lose her.

Not like this.

"What are you doing to get them out?" he demanded, his voice a low growl of desperation.

The chief officer glanced at him, sympathy darkening his features. "We're exploring options, but it's dangerous.

We can't risk sending anyone in yet."

Stanley didn't hear the rest. His mind was racing. He wasn't going to stand by and watch Lily fade into darkness. He wouldn't lose her because of hesitation. If they wouldn't move, he would.

He stepped aside, pulled out his phone, and began calling in every favour, leveraging every connection his family name provided.

Engineers, experts, private rescue operatives—money was no object.

His voice was clipped, sharp, urgent. "I don't care what it costs. Get here now. Bring everything."

Within the hour, a team of specialists arrived, examining the structure, finding a dangerous but possible route.

Stanley listened as they laid out the risks, the odds, the inevitable danger of the plan.

"Someone could get trapped," one man said. "Or worse."

Stanley's eyes burned as he stared at the building. "I'll go."

They argued.

They pleaded.

But Stanley's determination was unyielding.

He knew the risks. He knew what it could cost.

And he didn't care.

"It's her life," he said quietly. "I'll risk mine."

---

The air was thick with tension as the team of specialists unfolded the blueprints of the collapsed building. Dust still lingered, the ground unstable beneath their feet. The structure groaned, a constant reminder of the danger it posed.

"This is the eastern side," the lead engineer said, tracing his finger along the map. "It’s the least compromised. If you can get through the debris here"—he pointed to a narrow passage—"you’ll have access to the corridor leading to Room 12."

"That’s where she is?" Stanley's voice was low but unwavering.

The engineer nodded grimly. "Most likely. But the floor's unstable. The beams above could give at any moment. You’ll need to avoid heavy vibrations. And stay away from the west wall—it’s crumbling."

Another man spoke up, his tone urgent. "There’s a narrow window near the back. If you can get there, it might be a secondary exit, but it’s risky. The metal could give under your weight."

Stanley studied the map, memorizing every turn, every weak spot. "And the oxygen levels?"

"Low," the engineer admitted. "Take a mask. But if there's a spark, the gas leaks could ignite. You need to move fast."

They waited for him to falter, to reconsider. But Stanley only nodded, his jaw set. "I’ll be careful."

"You shouldn’t go in alone," another voice argued. "If something happens—, I will go in with you"

"It’s my decision," Stanley cut in, his tone final. His gaze didn’t waver. "It’s her life. I’ll risk mine."

A heavy silence fell, filled only by the groan of the wounded building. The engineer hesitated, then handed Stanley a flashlight, a small oxygen mask, and a handheld radio.

"Keep in contact," he said. "If anything shifts, we’ll pull you out. No heroics."

Stanley’s lips pressed into a thin line. He didn’t bother with promises he couldn’t keep.

As he approached the jagged opening of the building, his heart thundered. Not from fear of falling debris or suffocating dust—but fear of not reaching her in time. Of finding her too late.

He slipped inside like a shadow, the weak structure swallowing him whole.

The air was thick with the scent of damp wood and crumbling cement. The silence was eerie, broken only by the distant groan of the structure settling. Every step sent a ripple of dust into the air, the weight of his presence an unwelcome guest.

Then—a sudden creak.

Stanley froze. A beam above shifted slightly, dust cascading down like warning whispers. The walls were unstable. If he made the wrong move, he could be buried alive alongside them.

But Lily was in here.

He pressed on, moving carefully. A distant cough—weak, barely audible. His chest clenched. He followed the sound, weaving through the wreckage, his flashlight slicing through the dim haze.

Each step was a negotiation between hope and danger, each breath held tight. The floor creaked beneath his weight, debris shifting ominously overhead. He moved slowly, methodically, his ears straining for every sound.

"Lily," he whispered, his voice barely echoing.

No answer.

But he wouldn’t stop.

He couldn’t.

Because love meant more than words. It meant sacrifice. Risk. A determination to walk through fire if it meant keeping the other safe.

And Stanley Caldwell was ready to burn for her.

Dust filled his lungs. The air was heavy, suffocating, but he pressed on, following the sounds of soft, ragged voices until he found them.

Then, he saw her.

Lily was slumped against the debris, her hand clutching Alina’s weakly. Her face was pale, dust streaked across her forehead. Her breaths were shallow. His heart nearly stopped.

“Lily,” he breathed.

She stirred, blinking slowly. When her gaze met his, relief flooded her features, but exhaustion stole her words.

“I’ve got you,” he promised. And he meant it.

But just as he reached for her, the walls groaned again—a terrible, splintering sound. The floor beneath him quivered. The building wasn’t going to hold much longer.