BH6-Breathing In The Chemicals

                                    

                                          
Okay, maybe running into a burning building wasn't my best idea.
                          
It was instinct. Professor Callahan was in there somewhere.
                          
"Tadashi!" I could hear Hiro screaming as I dashed forward. I felt my hat fall off and shrugged.
                          
If I died, at least Hiro would have something to remember me by.
                          
Diving through the door, I began to sprint for the exhibition floor.
                          
"PROFESSOR CALLAHAN!" I screamed.
                          
No response. At least not from the professor. I did get a completely different response, however.
                          
The flames surged and I heard an explosion inside the building, one that pushed me onto my back.
                          
Taking a ragged gasp of air, I recieved a mouthful of fiery gasoline.
                          
What in the world exploded?
                          
I tried to climb to my feet, but was knocked over by a secondary explosion.
                          
Temporarily blinded, I heard something rattling past my head. They sounded surprisingly like...Hiro's Megabots!
                          
"Hiro? If you're in here, get out!" I yelled.
                          
No answer.
                          
Stumbling up blindly, I began to run again, hoping against hope that I would get to the exhibition floor and find Callahan alive.
                          
Finally finding the door I was looking for, I sprinted in between the abandoned experiments and prototypes, screaming, "PROFESSOR!" over and over.
                          
I could feel the fire eating at my jacket and my pants.
                          
He's not here.
                          
My heart sank. He couldn't have survived this if he hadn't gotten out yet.
                          
Turning, I started back towards the door.
                          
A wall of fire blocked my path.
                          
No.
                          
I whirled again, heading for the back door.
                          
A flaming light bank from the ceiling fell down in my way.
                          
No!
                          
I had to get back to the others.
                          
To the gang.
                          
To Hiro.
                          
Steeling my nerves for the pain, I ran at the flames between me and freedom.
                          
Vaulting over the burning poles, I yelled in pain as I felt the flesh on my hands sear off. 
                          
A section of roofing fell behind me and I ducked, using my arms to shield my neck and head.
                          
Turning to look, I could see the moon through the opening in the hole.
                          
Slowly, the burning sensation on my palms stopped. I looked down to see they were healed, if a bit red.
                          
Curious, I reached out and touched the hot metal again.
                          
No pain. The fire flowed over my fingers, leaving a warm tickling sensation.
                          
Turning to where I was once again blocked by fire, I took a chance.
                          
Focusing on the fire moving out of the way, I shoved my hand out like I was pushing the air in front of me.
                          
It didn't work.
                          
Frowning, I focused harder, not doing the hand gesture this time.
                          
Slowly, the fire began to move away from me, providing a clear path to the back door.
                          
"Yes!" I cheered.
                          
A crash behind me propelled me forward.
                          
I may be fireproof, for some unknown reason, but I am not immune to collapsing buildings.
                          
Bursting out the door, I took a deep breath of the night air. Faintly over the roaring fire, I heard screaming. 
                          
Hiro.
                          
I broke into a sprint again, rounding the building.
                          
"HIRO!" I yelled.
                          
I could see Aunt Cass trying to pull Hiro away from the flames. 
                          
"Tadashi's in there, Auntie Cass!" He yelled, wrenching his arm away.
                          
"Hiro, don't!" Aunt Cass and I shouted at the same time.
                          
Hiro heard me, but Aunt Cass must not have.
                          
Your brother can see you. The others cannot. A voice whispered in my head.
                          
"What?" I muttered out loud.
                          
I'm sorry, young Guardian. Explanation is for a later time. Just tell your brother never to lose hope in you.
                          
"Tadashi!" I kneeled down in front of Hiro.
                          
"Listen, Bud, don't forget me okay?"
                          
"Tadashi, why would I forget you?"
                          
I sighed. "I can't give you the answers right now, but no matter what Aunt Cass says, no matter what the gang says, I'm here." I tapped his chest.
                          
"Hiro, he's not coming out." Aunt Cass had caught up now. Her eyes passed right over me.
                          
"What do you mean?" Hiro asked. "He's-"
                          
"Hiro. It's too late." Aunt Cass pulled him into a hug.
                          
Hiro squirmed slightly, probably trying to give me a confused look. I slowly rounded Aunt Cass and began to jog off. Turning to look at them again, I saw my little brother watching me with sad and confused eyes.
                          
I looked down, then an idea popped into my head.
                          
I held up a hand to wave at Hiro, then thought hard about my fingertips catching fire.
                          
His eyes widened. I smiled sadly, then continued running.
                          
"Wow, a whole building." A voice said next to me.
                          
I turned and immediately tripped, surprise catching me off guard.
                          
A teen floated in front of me. He had white hair and electric blue eyes. He was wearing a blue sweatshirt and brown pants, with no shoes. In his hand was a staff with a large hook on the top.
                          
"I mean, it's unheard of. I fell in a lake, you blow up a building I just...wow."
                          
His eyes were on the building behind me.
                          
"Uh...who are you?" I asked slowly.
                          
He turned and grinned.
                          
"I'm Jack. You?"
                          
"Tadashi."
                          
"Well I gotta say, Tadashi, your eyes are kinda creepy. So is your hair."
                          
"What?"
                          
He waved a hand and the river under the bridge we were standing on froze over. I walked to the surprisingly clear surface and looked in.
                          
"AAAH!" My hair was an unnatural red. My eyes were orange. I could see why he thought I was creepy.
                          
"Wha-how?!" Jack laughed. 
                          
"You're a Guardian, Man. You have to fit the profile. I didn't know there was a fire Guardian. I'm snow and stuff."
                          
Jack. It hit me.
                          
Jack Frost.