Free Fireproof by Alex Kendrick

Frozen in shock, head still back and eyes still closed, he let out a terrified howl that competed in volume with the thunder of the passing train.
    Now that the car was cleared, Caleb and the other men dropped it beside the tracks. The Marine beside Simmons pulled him down away from danger and rested a strong hand of comfort upon his back.
    The locomotive was slowing to a stop, at last.
    In the Kia’s front seat, Bethany was still bawling between gulps of air.

CHAPTER 11
    G et the spreaders,” Caleb reminded the rookie, now that the car was off the tracks. Time was still a factor here, despite the disaster they had averted.
    The sound of approaching ambulance sirens soothed him. On the rails, the train’s brakes had fallen silent, and the conductor was now stumbling back along the embankment in a daze.
    â€œMedic,”Wayne called from the car. “Medic!”
    A pair of EMS personnel rushed to his assistance. One slipped through the back window to better reach the unconscious passenger from inside, while the other, an older gentleman, tore away the expended air bag for visibility.
    â€œYou’re gonna be all right,” Caleb told Bethany in the driver’s seat. “You’re okay, you hear me? You’re gonna be okay.”
    He looked up and saw Simmons inching down the slope, still dazed. The Marine had his hands folded over his camouflage cap, taking deep breaths. Terrell and Eric had the generator running and tools connected, ready to cut through the car’s window supports and roll back the dented roof. In the vehicle itself, the EMS guys had draped both girls in shrouds to protect them from any bits of glass or metal that might pop loose during the procedure.
    Terrell angled the Hurst tool’s Jaws of Life into place and started cutting.
    The medical team stepped back, and Caleb said to the nearest one, “We got two males over there with minor injuries. These girls are pretty bad. Driver’s suffered severe trauma to both legs. Her name’s Bethany.”
    â€œWe got it. Thank you, Captain.”
    Caleb sighed, taking it all in. He saw witnesses staring off in silence, their faces grim masks of shock. Others wiped away tears of joy and relief. A few of the volunteer rescuers were still nearby, and he pulled off his gloves as he approached the Marine and the young black man who had jumped into the fray.
    â€œGentlemen.” Caleb shook their hands. “Thank you for your help.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    â€œI don’t know about you, but that had me scared.”
    â€œYou ain’t kiddin’,” the black kid said.
    Caleb turned to the Marine. “There’s no way we could have moved that car without you. Thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome, sir.”
    â€œYou guys are heroes now. You know, the news is gonna want to interview both of you.”
    â€œNah,” the first man said.
    The Marine agreed. “We’re good, sir. We don’t need that.”
    They both patted Caleb on the shoulder and walked away.
    The captain collected his lieutenant’s ill-fated helmet and turned back toward the truck. On the grass, Simmons sat with arms draped over his knees and eyes closed.
    â€œThank You,” he was whispering. “Thank You, Lord.”
    â€œHey, are you okay?”
    Simmons looked up, brows knitted together over relieved eyes. “Captain, I just needed a minute.”
    Caleb handed him the cracked helmet.
    The man took it in both hands and stared at it as though expecting to find his head contained within. “Well,” he sighed. “I broke my record for how close I could come to death and still live.”
    â€œYeah? Well, don’t break it next time.”
    â€œI wasn’t trying to break it this time.”
    Caleb gave him a contemplative look, then rose to leave.
    â€œHey . . . ,” Simmons said. “Don’t tell my wife.”
    When it came to life and death and near