"I remember seeing his face and being surprised," Free said. "These bright blue eyes were just staring out from a burned little face."

Shortly after their brief visit with Marius, the two young women enlisted the help of their families to bring Marius to the United States for reconstructive surgery. Shriners Hospital at Los Angeles accepted Marius for treatment and agreed to foot the cost of reconstructive surgeries and subsequent procedures until Marius is 18. They completed all the necessary paperwork to bring Marius and Ionut to the United States. The brothers arrived earlier this month.

For the past few weeks Marius has traveled the countryside with Ludlow and Free, visiting SeaWorld and Disneyland along the way. They met with doctors and discussed "game plans" for the first surgery, which will take place in mid-September.

For all that Ludlow and Free have done to help Marius, he's taught them something in return, Free said — to stay strong.

One day, Marius was in a particularly rambunctious mood and pretended to eat his fingers and nose, then held up what's left of his hands asked with a chuckle, "Where did they go?" Free said she was impressed he could joke about such a tragic accident.

"All my little worries are nothing compared to him," she said.

It's this character that will have to sustain him during the next few years as doctors work to right the effects of that tragic November night. But Free said Marius is up to the task.

"He's such a trouper and a fighter," she said.

More information about Marius, the team that brought him to the U.S. and ways to contribute can be found at teammarius.org.

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E-mail: jdana@desnews.com