Maria: Toby! Toby, can you hear me?!
The thick black smoke burned Maria's eyes as she stumbled down the second-floor hallway[cite: 1]. Flames licked at the wallpaper, turning the white walls into charred ruins[cite: 1].
Toby: Maria! I'm under the bed! Help me!
Maria: I'm right here, baby! Don't move!
Maria burst through the nursery door, kicking aside a burning piece of wooden trim that had fallen from the ceiling[cite: 1]. Crawling on her hands and knees, she reached under the frame and pulled eight-year-old Toby out into her arms[cite: 1].
Toby: I was so scared! Mommy and Daddy ran outside and left me!
Maria: I've got you, Toby. Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on tight[cite: 1].
She wrapped her wet cloth over the boy's face and lifted him onto her back[cite: 1]. Outside the room, a loud crack roared through the house as the main staircase collapsed into a pit of fire[cite: 1].
Toby: Maria, the stairs are gone! How are we getting out?!
Maria: The balcony! We have to use the master bedroom balcony!
She turned and sprinted toward the end of the hall, her feet burning through her thin shoes as she stepped on hot embers[cite: 1]. Pushing open the glass doors of the master bedroom, she carried Toby out onto the marble balcony overlooking the front lawn[cite: 1].
Down below, Richard and Mindy were arguing with two firefighters who had just pulled up in a red engine[cite: 1].
Richard: My vault is on the second floor! You need to spray water on the east wing first!
Fire Captain: Sir, we are checking for survivors! Is anyone still inside?!
Mindy: Our maid ran back in, but there's no way she's alive! Save our documents!
Maria: Up here! Help us!
The Fire Captain looked up and spotted Maria holding Toby tightly against the balcony railing[cite: 1].
Fire Captain: We've got two people on the second-floor balcony! Get the ladder truck raised right now!
Mindy: Toby?! He was in his room the whole time?!
Richard: Good Lord... Maria actually found him!
The firefighters extended the metal ladder, rushing up to scoop Toby from Maria's arms first[cite: 1]. Once the boy was safely lowered to the ground, two firefighters helped Maria climb down the rungs[cite: 1]. Her skin was scorched, her blue uniform ruined, but she refused to let go of Toby's hand the second her feet touched the grass[cite: 1].
Mindy rushed over, but she didn't grab her son. She grabbed Maria's torn shoulder.
Mindy: Did you see my safe in the master bedroom?! Is the small black box still intact?!
Maria: You left your son to burn in his room, Mindy. And all you care about is a box of paper?!
Mindy: Don't you dare raise your voice to me! You are a paid servant in this house!
Richard: Mindy, calm down! The reporters are already filming us!
Maria: Let them film! Let the whole city see what kind of parents you really are!