What we lost in the fire

AN: I wanted to write one of those really epic stories. This is my attempt.

I chose to tell you this tale because somebody ought to. I do it because we laughed, we lived and we loved and people should know. We fought, sometimes for our lives but mainly for yours. It might seem like a tale with an abrupt tragic ending, but it's really not. Because only time will tell if our sacrifices will be rewarded.

I tell you this because we deserve to be remembered. We did our time and we did the best we could. That ought to count for something, right?

I tell you this tale because you will live it like we lived it. I hope you will live, laugh and love a lot. I know you will fight. I tell you this because I hope your life will be long and prosperous instead of short and brutal. If you don't learn from us and the mistakes we made, fate will force you to live through them. It's funny how fate always gets her way in the end.

I tell you this tale because I would have loved you if I had the chance. I really would have.

This is what we lost in the fire.