Once again the firm orders reached his ears as if his head was under water.  He couldn't shake the feeling that he was moving in slow motion as he took steps toward the front.  Stumbling over the rubble and the heaviness in his limbs, the distance out to the mediwitches he knew were waiting to save her stretched out forever in front of him.

The contact of a firm hand on his back brought reality crashing back to him with a sharp snap.  It not longer felt like everything was pressing in around him and as his senses came back to him he could hear with clarity how unstable the rest of the building was, just over head.  He didn't think twice when the path before him cleared, just took the opportunity for what it was.  He strode forward with determination, finally free of the leaden weight in his feet.

As if with blinders he pushed forward, out through the door, into what felt like blinding daylight not daring to look at her until she was safely on a stretcher and in the care of those who could help her. 

---