[ WP ] The measure of a man 's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out .

The building crumbled a little bit, loose debris slid off the ever building pile of cinder blocks and cement. The building groaned a little bit more as the supports began to give way. 
 
 `` Just one more! Please, let me just get to one more!'' Daniel's head screamed as he dug through another pile of bricks, fingers raw and bloodied from digging with his bare hands. He let out another quick sob, before continuing to dig again. 
 
 The building had n't collapsed all at once; it had acted more like a slow descent to the ground, chunk by chunk. Daniel knew time was critical. No one knew how the fire could have started, but it behaved the way nightmares act. The fire was sporadic and ever shifting, a snake made of liquid hellfire. Daniel guessed it was finding pockets of much older and dryer material. They always said if the building was to go up in flames, it would be a beast to put out. If only they had enough money to fix up the building. 
 
 He laughed a bitter smile to himself. `` It sounds too perfect. A picturesque story of a dynamic rescue and triumph. Man pulls 23 kids from a burning, collapsing building.'' When the top floor started giving way, he had a hefty chunk of forehead opened up when the light fixtures smashed across his face. He remembered it in slow motion, the twinkling of glass like the night sky as it made his mark across his skin. 
 
 `` Well, picturesque stories will always get picturesque endings... I hope.'' He wiped the sweat and tears from his face, caking blood and dirt in streaks across his cheeks. `` 3 more to go, just 3 fucking more. Then I can rest.'' He dug 3 more times before stopping to cough a few minutes. The kicked up debris was far harsher than he ever would have guessed. His lungs were on fire and his mouth was covered in a mix of soot and dust. 
 
 The weakening cries came from below the brick pile. He smiled. `` Finally, a two-fer! Luck is on my side!'' He promptly laughed at the absurdity of the statement. Surging forward with renewed enthusiasm and strength, he pulled two more children from the wreck and guided through the fires and collapsing timbers. 
 
 `` One more..one more to go. Then it happened... the building gave way just as he heard the calls of the final child. It was too hot, he was too tired, and the only remaining strength he had was for himself. He gathered his energy for one last dash to leave as he heard the final cries of a 3 year old girl being snuffed out. He ran out of the door and into the cool night. 
 
 `` Sir! Sir! Are you okay! Help is on it's way and the firemen are right down the road. Sit down, sir! Get this man some water and bandages! Sir, is there anyone else left in the building!'' 
 
 ``... No. Just one kid... but she died as soon as the fire started. I got em all out. 22. I um... just... can you leave me alone for a minute? I got something in my eyes.''
