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“Pfft, I don’t know - the Big Bad Wolf, maybe? What else is known to lurk around in the woods?” she replied with a humorous grin of her own, giving a minute lift of her bony shoulders. “Huh…well I still have some with me - so if you wan’ a hit, just say the word, bro…I never really go anywhere without a little somethin’ these days,” she told him as she gestured idly towards her small Valentino messenger bag at her side. Hell, if Zane wanted to smoke with her, she definitely wouldn’t say no. Usually, it was her and Luther that could be found toking it up together, but she was more than willing to share with her other uncle, as well. Who knew a little bit of weed could lead to such thrilling family bonding? “As soon as I leave here, I’m heading straight home to bed to hopefully sleep for a whole week straight,” Diamond said, speaking another half-truth, as she actually planned to stop by Jesse’s first before going home. She gave a quiet hum of piqued interest at his words, nodding slowly in approval, “That’d be cool. I haven’t been by the funeral home since Christmas, but I noticed it could definitely use a bit of, uh, updating…I know that flowers are supposed to be what brings life and color into the place, but a little more pop to the interior other than the typical drab neutrals wouldn’t hurt…Or are you talking more structural upgrades?”

 “Hmm. Maybe the three little pigs with their houses.” He countered with a laugh. “I don’t think anything good is really in the woods at night, unless you planned a camping trip. Probably get mauled by a bear.” Zane has been camping a few times in his life, but for the most part he counts himself lucky. The only misfortune he could remember off the top of his head, came from a day when they ran out of gas to get home. This occurred at the tail end of the trip though, but thankfully no bears or wolves that he recalled. Perhaps strings of memories existed, and he had kept them behind a wall for a reason. “ Yeah, sure. Let me have a hit.” Zane replied as he extended his hand over towards her Valentino messenger bag, where he had assumed she kept it. At least he could know first hand if it was tampered with or not. “Sounds a tad bit dramatic, but hopefully you go to sleep for at least six hours.. five maybe.. better yet eight.” He didn’t really sleep more than 6 hours, because of his own schedule.  “A little bit of both, most things have been tinkered with but not upgraded. Perhaps start with half structural- half interior. I’m considering an accent wall of sky blue with clouds, or do you think that will be a bit too much? Also some more marbled tiles might be nice near the entrance with the small pitiful fountain.”

….

There were a few problems that came with knowing someone pretty much your whole life– often that being that they had too many stories and that they knew too much. But there was also the protective streak, at least when it came to this pair, only ever wanting what was best for each other and trying to stop any heartbreak if they could. “Yeah but you didn’t cheat on your wife and cause your divorce. So you look a little bit better there.” It felt so wrong to be feeding Oliver that party line and he wasn’t even sure he’d said it convincingly either. He’d never really been able to lie to him, or Alejandra. The two of them bringing out the most honesty. “A week. I’ll take it. And then hide Callum for a month to really figure it out.” He sighed, swirling the bottle in his hand a couple of times. “I know. It’s just hard because I know if something happened there’s so many people who would take her, I just don’t want to think about something happening.” Which he knew was stupid… he really really did. “Well thanks. And I believe the correct term is I’m your best friend. We can’t get that wrong.” He might not have said it in so many words but the tone was clear, adding further meaning to the words. I’m over it if you’re over it. A year without talking to Oliver had been hell, Wyatt just wanted his friend back.

Oliver swiveled his head from left to right in thought. “Technically, I did cheat on Amelia though. It was just, after she had ran away with my son and shown her true colors.” He laughed a bit, but the laugh itself was bitter. “Maybe you’re just polyamorous.” He offered with a jovial smile. He missed this level of communication with someone that wasn’t dipping their hands into crime with him. Oliver missed the childish mischief that they got into when younger that grew into adult mischief with their one working brain cell. “If you need me to lie for you, just let me know.” Wyatt knew by now, and Oliver knew he didn’t have to remind the other yet he would. “I know it’s hard to think about.” It’s a nightmare that plagued his every waking moment, except he didn’t have very many normal people to leave his kids too. “But it is reality unfortunately. Especially in the line of duty.” The grin that spread across his lips only grew with happiness, “Yeah, yeah. I guess best friend.” He feigned annoyance, but he knew the other would know the satire that stuck to his words. ‘ I missed you too.’

–

Diamond chuckled at the joke, amused despite herself. “Smokey the Bear, huh? Well, I guess I could be mistaken for far worse things.” Smile waning slightly, she gave a slow nod, “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve just had a rather long and vigorous work week, that’s all - so I haven’t had much time to catch up on sleep.” Her sleeping patterns were and had always been quite atrocious, but she was fairly used to running on very little sleep, thanks to the often eventful and rather chaotic nightlife she tended to lead. “But I’m off for the next few weeks, so I’ll get all the rest I need then,” Diamond reassured with a casual shrug, “How’s everything going with you?” she countered.

“Oh really, like what?” Zane snickered over to her with a slow roll of his eyes. “To think you didn’t even offer me some Mary Jane. I’m offended.” He cracked a grin, he isn’t sure if this was appropriate for an uncle to do, but Zae’s kids had always been closer to him like siblings. Since his own were much older. “Ah, well hopefully with your time off you can catch up on your sleep. I heard warm tea helps, but I’m normally out like a light during the day. “ A funeral home was creepy to manage at night, but he preferred it. he preferred to have the days to himself, unless there were things he needed to supervise during the day. “Same oh, same oh. Was thinking about hiring someone to do some interior changes to the funeral home. Some upgrades, or I don’t know just .. some nice change for once.”

Smoke. So much smoke. Stay calm, Oliver is here. Stay calm. All of that fell on deaf ears though, because Julia couldn’t find her other siblings amongst the flames, couldn’t find Drew or Effie or Stefano, couldn’t find Teddy either. These were her people. Her family. She felt her fingers shake in front of her as the intense heat burned and she felt the black smoke fill her delicate lungs. She put the material over her mouth, still coughing, as she looked at her brother, knowing he would know exactly what to do. This is what he’s trained for, Julia knew this, but it was still terrifying. She nodded, keeping her hand close to Oliver’s, holding onto it for dear life. She wasn’t losing him. She wasn’t going to let go of his hand. Julia saw flames towering around them, burning faster and faster and she felt sick to her stomach. “But what about the others, Oliver?! Where are they?!” She yelled back, just praying that they would get out soon, praying that the doors can be opened. She felt more smoke fill in her lungs, her eyes tearing badly, as she tried to reach out for Oliver.”Ollie! Ollie, where are you?!” Her hand had slipped from his, trying to fight to get to the doors where he was.”Oliver!” 

Chaos ignited with every new flicker of fire from the explosion and the gigantic plumes of smoke. It would have been a nice sight to see from afar, and he really couldn’t stop to admire it with the survival instinct kicking in. Oliver took another strong swing towards the door, narrowly missing a few heads in his way. His gaze wavered between the task at hand to save them back to his little sister. “We have to get out or else it won’t matter, Julia.” His words hollow and calm. The karma and ghost of his own PTSD would visit him later tonight or perhaps once the doors opened. “I’m right here! Can you see me?!” He asked while the scene in front of him blurred between realty and memory. The flickers between the war of Chicago and the real life war he had endured.  “Julia!”  He called out when her form vanished within the massive crowd. He gives the weapon to another abled person as he passed through the sea of bodies to find his sister. “You need to stop yelling conserve your oxygen!” He screamed back towards her. 

–

She stared, absolutely bemused, at the building that was currently on fire, before turning back to her uncle, both of her brows raised. “Uh…” was all she could think to respond with initially as he led her way from the area, the approaching sirens all but deafening her as they went. Zane’s oddly suspicious behavior gave him away and she scoffed, even as she walked in step with him. “Okay - dude, I know I promised I wouldn’t ask questions…but do you really expect me to remain silent after just seeing your apartment building smoking like that?” Not a chance in hell, she mentally scoffed, “Zane, what - what did you do?” Diamond honestly didn’t know whether to feel amused by the situation or deep concern, so instead she settled on a both and her facial expression somehow reflected that as she gazed at her uncle. “Right - coffee. Yeah, I guess so.”

Zane would be an utter fool if he thought that Diamond wouldn’t inquire about it. However he knew better, he just didn’t want to be near someone that could overhear them that might complicate things for him. his eyes diverted from her slowly as he narrowed his eyes to the flashing lights. “I --” He let out a dejected sigh before he continued, “tried to cook Hamburger helper. Not a word to your sister.”  He rubbed at his chin, as his eyes went back to staring ahead while she walked with him. “I uh forgot it was on the stove until it was too late.”

….

Wyatt couldn’t help but laugh at the look coming from the child, Oliver was definitely going to have fun with that as Lilah got older. Familiar with it himself though, Bella had perfected her own signature glare that he was sure would become an attitude as time went on. Shuddering slightly at the thought of his daughter becoming a teenager– no that wasn’t something he had to think about for at least another decade. “Don’t tempt me, I’m supposed to be the good influence in this friendship.” A teasing tone to his voice, he was actually considering it.

Putting Bella down his eyes were close on the little girl. Not that he thought anything would happen considering just who was here, but this was Chicago and it wouldn’t take much. “And we both think the same way when it comes to this, and know each other well enough to know how to push buttons. It wouldn’t work for either of us.” He shrugged at the next question, really thinking about it. “I mean, she’s in town and Callum wanted to tell her. Plus he met my craziness before we were even properly together. It’s a bit strange, I’ve come from ten years with the same person, I don’t even know how timelines are supposed to go.” A pause, “I swear I’m getting around to introducing him to you.”

Oliver was used to the death glare and general attitude that Lilah exuberated. “Just you wait.” He lipped to Wyatt and motioned with the maneuvered tilt of his head towards Bella. If history was anything to go on, surely the girls would be the ones giving them a run for their money.  A mischievous grin fell over his face at the mention of being an  influencer. “Well, who would I be if I didn’t offer? I’m supposed to be the mildly questionable influence.” He wouldn’t downright say ‘BAD’ but they both knew what he meant.

He was content at least seeing the girls start to play near them. Oliver knew not to trust Lilah one-hundred percent, because he watched her eyes divert towards the presents.  His daughter had a one-track mind which may be good in a different capacity, but not when it was something she shouldn’t be doing. “Good point. So what I’m hearing is you should just buy double the gift from both of us.” He  teased with a light hearted chuckle. Oliver listened closely to the next bit, curious about Wyatt’s new lover. “Don’t talk to me about timelines, Wyatt. I’m screwed when it comes to that. Though.. I have been on a couple of dates with someone myself.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully, “Maybe we should just... do a double date?”

Nadia could only giggle at the Italian mob boss, as he insulted right and left, truly because the only thing she could think of was gutting him alive and making him suffer, him and his family. It was a lovely thing to think about, and he seemed to fancy himself someone who Nadia would be with. Ha. Only if she got to stab him right as he got vulnerable. “Mmmm. So sad you have such horrid taste, darling. I feel utmost pity for you, I really do, but then again, pity isn’t good for anyone. No one likes to be pitied, so instead, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself, but I will tell you this, Oliver Faust,” She said, getting closer to him with her drink in her hands. Her dark eyes looked him up and down, as she let out a sigh, her smirk lighting up her pretty face. “Girls like me, they bite and bite hard. You’ll figure that out though, I promise you. One day you will. And so will your family. Just let it happen and don’t fight it.” Nadia winked, and made a growling noise as she left, leaving her glass on the table. “This party is worn out. I’m leaving.” 

Oliver glared at the woman, and just when she said she’d keep her thoughts to herself he vocally rejoiced. “Hallelujah this night just get bet -- “ An audible groan as she kept going. Something about biting, none of it intimidated him in his current state. Instead his face continued to drain into a slate of apathy, but his eyes never let the frustration fade completely. “ok abbastanza fuori di te chihuahua.” That’s the only thing he could picture when she mentioned biting something, and he all but smiled when she made the growling noise to leave. “Worn out like your hair style. Addio.”

abraham let his gaze brush over the man beside him, a whisper of familiarity peaking his interest. he’d known of oliver for years; julia’s brother, head bastard in charge, as he had always been, but his introductions had never been more than a hello and a goodbye and the passive instruction of how to provide care wherever necessary.  “occasionally,” he replied. his interest in oil paintings had fizzled out in the years since he’d tried to regain some semblance of sobriety; the harsh chemical scent of brush cleaner was a stronger narcotic now than he was used to. it was easier to work with the water soluble. acrylic, gouache, water color, even, on one manic occasion, his own blood. “been a while since i’ve worked on a piece like that. i tend to stick more to ink, y’know?” he smirked, motioning to the art on his sleeve. “less time consuming. i’m an instant gratification kinda motherfucker.”  he turned a little, smirking as he crossed his arms back over his chest. “nice t’see you, oliver.” 

Oliver switched his gaze between Abe and the painting. The mind momentarily transported him back to school, when he knew a different Abe. Abraham was his first introduction into the Sweetwine family, and Blythe was of course second because of Julia. Though he probably would have terminated all the Sweetwines if he knew how intertwined with the enemies they were. His gaze finally looks back to Abe long enough to catch the motion towards his sleeves. “That makes sense. I had an ex wife pretty engrossed with art.” One of the main reasons he blew up the Art Institute to begin with. “ Probably did take them weeks to dry that then.” He motioned to the oil painting they had met at.  A slow nod of his head before he continued, “Nice to see you too. How have you been?”

When Julia heard her sweet nephew speak about his Nonni, her father, she reached out to him, tickling his sides and lifted the little boy into her arms, onto her lap. There was nothing better than spending time with her sweet nephew and niece, she adored them more than anyone. “Baby, look at me, hmm? Zia knows these things. Zia knows, because look. Look what Nonna gave me before she went to heaven. This necklace.” She showed Matty the necklace Julia always had around her necklace, a necklace her mother had left for her and one that Julia never, ever took off. It protected her, it kept her safe and as far as Julia was concerned, she would never take it off. “Nonni and Nonna are angels up in the sky and they see us and wave, and they fly around the sky, see all the stars and they make them extra bright for us to see, just for us. They love us so much and they’re always going to be there for you. All you have to do is close your eyes real tight and talk to them in your head ro outloud. Either way, they can hear you and they send love and stars and happiness to us.” Julia smiled, kissing Matty on the forehead, keeping him there. He was such a precious person in Julia’s life, her own blood and while Lilah she loved just as much, there was a different connection since Julia held her nephew in her arms a few moments as he was born. She was watching him grow, each day and it was absolutely the best gift she had ever gotten in her life, being an aunt. 

She put him down and smiled over at her brother, nodding. “We are all the glue, but you’re the glue that really is the glue of all glue. Gorilla glue. That’s what you are and you know that. Nothing can change that, big brother. We’ll go this Sunday then, you and me.” She said, smiling. “I know we could use all the help we can get and I intend to give it to us.” 

Matty blinked up wide eyed as he looked over the necklace Julia had shown him. Letting out an exclaimed awestricken “WOW”. Oliver could only speculate what was going on completely due to the painted shadows that stood among the dark streaks in his vision. “Did Nonni has a necklace?” Matty inquired while he blinked up to Julia happily taking in what she was saying. “Is mom up there too?” The boy asked curiously, still not understanding the disappearance completely. 

Once put down he skipped off calling out for his little sister. Forgetting his cheese duty in the moment to opt into playing with the dogs and Lilah. Oliver laughed and shook his head slowly as he heard the loud steps vanish across the kitchen. “I would give for a kid’s attention span.” He commented with a smile and slow shake of his head. “Gorilla glue? That’s a good way to say it, but anyone and everyone has the potential to be gorilla glue if they want.” The invitation of church suspended in the air, he would go to at least humor his little sister. “Sounds good, Jolly. We can go Sunday. How much time is left on the timer?”

….

A simple shrug was all that Kat could answer with. “Most people who aren’t professionals do.” A bat of her eyes that accompanied her innocent tone. Anyone watching might think she was just making a comment and meaning it innocently. She wasn’t actively trying to be passive aggressive and if she was going to do something like that it wouldn’t be to Oliver Faust.

“I heard about that, he left a note about it in his diary. Writing every night about how he couldn’t wait for that meeting.” She paused, “Maybe best to get yourself that blood shaded suit for it. I’m sure he’d love that.” And with that she smiled and it barely reached her eyes. Did it pain her to speak about her brother in this manner? Well no– not really. “Last I heard he’s got a one way ticket to a small town in Michigan.”

“I wasn’t aware you were an expert in fashion.” Oliver retorted. Sure she was a Vasile and on the radio, but fashion was something else completely. “My sense of fashion is unmatched.” A slightly cocky smile spread across his lips with a chuckle. At least he knew her enough to know that she was less likely to create a scene. 

“Did he? He seems like the diary type.” He nodded slowly as he pondered the man that had tortured him personally. A glance down to the crimson suit with a shrug of his shoulders, “Perhaos, but black can never go out of style. Am I right?” Besides, crimson spots could be hard to spot on a black suit or a crimson suit. His brows furrow at the mention of the small town in Michigan. “Michigan, hm? What is so special there?” Oliver scoffed at the incredulousness of it all. 

Ugly? Troll? Nadia could only chuckle, shaking her head, because she knew her true and utter beauty, the way she was admired, and the way she had always been admired. The little Italian boy that was Oliver Faust wasn’t going to intimidate her, although she did say, he had quite a bark and she expected that. From her time in Italy, she knew how Italians could be, full of spice and heat and Nadia did love that, even in his outburst now. She tilted her head to the side, only getting a little bit closer, closer to him. Ever so close. “Oh, darling. Looks like you’re just having the worst day ever. I could only imagine, being blinded like this. Who knows who could happen to your sweet little precious family with your eyes unable to work? Who knows what kind of monster, or as you say, troll could lurk in the shadows and make a mess of your sweet little family? Your little siblings? I think I know them all by name now. I certainly hope I can run into them soon, hmm That would be remarkable. And how would you even know? You’re blind as a bat right now.” She chuckled, relishing in the power she could exerate over him right now. 

“No, not Marty, hmm? Matty, am I right? That’s your cute little son? I wonder what would happen if something really bad happened, and you wouldn’t be able to help. I mean, because you can’t see, right, darling? That is a shame.” She tsked, shrugging. “Then again, that is troll behavior, and I don’t consider myself a troll. More like a beauty, but if you insist, darling, it can be rearranged.” She reached forward, easily, dusting off some nonexistent dust on his jacket, just to spook him that she was touching him and sighed. 

“I guess we’ll just have to find out, won’t we, Mister Faust? Until now,” She smiled. “Bueona notte.” 

Oliver could hear her moving closer which just increased his distressed ire. He listened to her shrill voice akin to nails scratching the chalkboard. He couldn’t see her, but he tried to pinpoint just how close she had moved towards him. Relinquishing the grip he had on the cart, to swing his fist in the direction he thought where she stood close enough to him. If he was able to see it would be worse of course. He’d wait for her to exit the store so he could just run her over, back up, and run over her again. “You know nothing, donna troll. la mia famiglia renderà un servizio a Chicago sbarazzandosi di te.” That was a promise that someday he would make certain happened.

“No. that’s not it either.” He forced out between gritted teeth. Feeling his blood pressure skyrocket. If he could get away with strangling Nadia in the grocery store he would, but he didn’t want to press his blind luck. “per favore non parlare di bellezza. conosci solo il brutto. You wish you were born beautiful, but the truth is you have a face a mother wouldn’t love.” 

“Buona notte.“ he spat back with an unpleasant grunt. 

easter sundays had once been an event all their own in the craine household. they were social gatherings where the adults would sit around, honoring one another in all their greatness after a morning mass, champagne on their lips and cigars between their canines. meanwhile, the children sat around in their sunday best, held back from hunting for easter eggs or rolling in the grass for fear of staining their fanciest clothes. 

gabriel sat in contemplative silence, settled under a tree in the park with a book open, but faced down against his thigh. it was meant to be the day of resurrection, when jesus’ contract was signed and sealed and all sin forgiven and forgotten. he had grown up in the church, but the more he learned of the world and all people in it, the more he understood that religion wasn’t more than a series of reinforcement stimuli. good deeds recieved rewards, bad deeds recieved demerits, and either way on the scale you fled determined your place in heaven or hel- 

his head snapped to the side, caught off guard by something hard and curiously crunchy. as the sudden ache of the impact bloomed across his jaw, he studied the figure of a child running away as their parent rushed forward. “no worries,” he said quickly, standing from where he sat to brush bits of egg off of his chest. “your kid has a pretty good arm, though.” the yurist admitted, rubbing the heel of his palm against the sore spot on his jaw. 

Oliver continued to apologize profusely at the figure, while his eyes watched his kids giggle off to cause more chaos. At least the kids were happy, that meant the most to him bottom line. At least, in this moment of family time. Putting the gang tactics on the back burner for the time being to spend time with his children. The voice was familiar, and caused Oliver to focus on the figure that the kids had assaulted. 

Dark hues narrow as he tried to place the face, and it wasn’t Gabriel’s face that came into view for him at first. No, it was his ex - Danielle. A casual tilt of his head while his gaze seemed far away for a brief moment connecting the dots in his memories. He definitely knew who Gabriel was, and he remembered in the letter what Danielle wanted done. “ Gabriel? What are you doing out of New York?” he inquired with an arched brow. “I haven’t heard from Dani in quite some time.”

 Isabella technically wasn’t supposed to be in today. With graduation next week and her internship starting in June this break was supposed to be her down time. However she knew the hospital had been swamped since the night of the art gallery and thought they could use another pair of hands. Besides making a trip to the zoo she had spent her time recovering at home. Bella thought it was nice to finally get back to her normal routine as well as getting to help some of her coworkers. For her break she decided to sit down at one of the free picnic tables to enjoy the weather. A patients chart was  in front of her and her hand was currently scribbling down some notes. Looking up she saw her father with two homemade lunches in his hand. “You didn’t have to come all the way down here to bring me lunch. I know you must be busy.” She didn’t know what was on his plate right now or the things he was involved in currently. “But thank you, I do appreciate it. I don’t know…” She trailed off. “I think my chocolate chip cookies could give your lunches a run for their money.” Isabella teased her father, unaware he was looking for any injures she had gotten that night. The biggest injury she had received was smoke inhalation. 

Oliver smiled to his oldest daughter, glad to have the moment between the two of them even though it would be rushed. He knew normal lunch hours weren’t as forgiving when it came to family time. “I can make time for a lunch with you, Izzy.” He hummed out the nickname, and glanced back down to his lunches he had brought with a slowly growing smirk.  The smirk vanished behind a mock gasp, “Excuse you. Cookies do not compare to pasta and a caprese salad.” A chuckle emitted from his lips, but he was happy that she at least baked. He didn’t see any injuries that he could note of while he quickly viewed her over. His brows lifted as he glanced around the room. “Where can you take a lunch break around here, anyway?”

Alvaro felt something hit him in the back of his suit and it had very much made him turn. It wasn’t that big of a deal, as it had slipped off of him, but the impact still made him blink a few times, slowly, before realizing the Faust before him and his little kids. Oh. That was the voice he recognized. “Mister Faust.” Alvaro spoke coldly to him, fixing his suit that wasn’t buttoned up all the way. It wasn’t that fancy, but it was still nice. “Very nice to see you celebrating Easter like this with your children. Very nice indeed.” He smiled, like any old smile, but there was precision to his smile and carefulness. “I was just looking to see if my granddaughter and Wyatt were here, but I think they will come later. That will give us time to catch up, I’m sure.” He eyed him up and down. “How have you been? How’s business?” 

Oliver scratched the back of his head once he realized that his kids had pelted Alvaro. There’s a bit of nostalgia as he thinks back to when himself and Wyatt were younger, able to annoy their parents. He wished it were Wyatt and Bella there instead of Alvaro. Only because things had been awkward especially when they both knew the undertone of the mafia life the Fausts lived. “Sorry, Mister Leon. The kids are excited with their eggs.” A nervous chuckle left his lips, and he looked around silently screaming for anyone to interrupt this conversation.” They aren’t here yet, but I think they should be coming along. “ He glanced to look at his kids content as he saw them pelting each other with confetti. “I’ve been alright. Business is busy, Ollie’s is doing pretty good. The firehouse is doing well. How about you? How are you doing?”

birdie coughed a few more times as she tried to figure herself out. her head was throbbing with each cough, her hand going and touching her head. she pulled her hand away, surprised when she saw the blood on in. she shuffled closer to him, her eyes locking on his for a moment. “oh uh… th-thank you.” she stuttered out. she stood up and shuffled closer to him again. “i… i can try to hit the door too.” she shouted over the sound of chaos. she braced herself as she slammed her shoulder into the door. a small yelp of pain escaping her lips. “i’ll follow your lead.” she muttered, she had a strange amount of trust in him at the moment. 

The list in his mind settled his general annoyance of her presence. In this moment, she needed to live. He tore off a more thicker material and motioned to around her mouth. “Here put this around your mouth. It will help with the smoke inhalation.” He nodded to the door as he continued to aim above her head with the axe showing the slight sliver of hope when a piece of wood shattered outward. “be careful of the stampede.” He instructed her, not wanting to hear it from Teddy if she sustained more injuries.