Whumptober Day 4

Title: Old Scars Hurt the Worst
Rating: T
Fandom: Divergent - Veronica Roth
Pairing/Characters: Eric
Critical Tags: Character Study, Fire, Collapsed Building, Minor Character Death
Summary: Everyone has one fear that hits the hardest. Eric's comes up to sucker punch him first-off nearly every time.
Excerpt:

The walls had started to crumble. Beams were bending as they gave out from the heat and flames. Eric followed instinct and history, his path out winding but secure from falling debris for the most part. He didn't dare pause, even in the relative safety of the sturdy door frame at the threshold of the house. It would be the last to fall, remaining among the smoldering remains for hours until the fire teams would knock it down along with any remaining rubble.

Jessie's voice came to him before he could fully depart, high pitched and desperate. "Eric! Dad! Mo-o-o-m!" Jessie cried helplessly. Eric hated himself for how his head turned so instinctively to seek out his sister. His chest was tight. It was hard to breathe. He needed to leave but how could he ignore her?