Chapter Text
The station was the closest thing to quiet. If you focused, you could hear the city's song —a cacophony of car horns and sirens. There was more, but your ears were tuned in to the sirens. They were singing to you. It was special how they could make your heart race but comfort you all at once. You take what you can get when you work 24-hour shifts. You spend a full 24 hours responding to emergencies or performing rescues. You were finally getting some sleep after the latest rescue on the Sears Tower. A window cleaner's harness malfunctioned, and you had to rappel down the side of the building before he ended up portraying a Jackson Pollock painting on the ground.
You could feel yourself floating into a deeper sleep as your limbs relaxed in your bunk. The universe, however, is one cruel mistress, as the alarm suddenly blared. Your eyes shot open, and you jumped up to a sitting position to hear the announcement of who was needed for the call.
“Ambulance 61, Squad 3, Engine 51, multi-level warehouse fire.”
You shot out of your bed and darted to your spot next to the truck. You changed into your boots, pulled on your pants, and grabbed your turnout coat. You hopped into your spot in the back of your truck with your team and put on the headset so you could communicate. Main relayed the exact location, and the station rolled out with sirens blaring and lights on.
“And to think I thought we were going to get some shut-eye tonight.” Lawson was the newest to Squad 3, coming from another station. She was coming up on her second year. She, however, fit into the team like she was always meant to be there with you. She was a ball buster just like the others. Everyone knew teasing was a firefighter's love language. You two got close very fast, and she was the only family you had left in life. Your team helped fill the hole that your family had left behind. If you weren’t about to head into a burning building, you would surely spiral.
“That'll teach you thinking we actually are allowed to sleep. Last time I slept, Betty White was still alive.”
Lawson gasped at my comment, “Too soon, hothead, too soon. I will be finding a therapist and immediately telling them about the trauma you have just caused me.”
You chuckled and pushed her forehead playfully. Whether it was movie nights or nights out in the city, finding new things to do, there was nothing you wouldn't do for her. She was the person everyone could go to, no matter what. There wasn’t a bad bone in Lawson’s body. Not to say she wouldn’t throw down if someone she cared about was being harassed or needed her. There was a warmth that radiated. She wasn't like the others with our probies. She taught them and guided them, instead of how others just threw grunt work at them. She was the definition of a platonic soulmate. This was always going to be your person who you go to for everything and one who you would protect until your last breath.
The trucks and engines pulled into the lot where the warehouse was blazing. The smoke was a dark plume over the roof. Looks like that sleep will have to be put off a bit longer.
Everyone jumped out of their respective vehicles, and in a split-second decision, you grabbed your halligan over your axe. The Chief rolled up to the scene and started handing out the tasks for Squad, Truck, and Engine. The Captain paired you with Lawson, knowing how well you two worked together. Your Captain gave the reminder that even though it was likely this building was empty as it was abandoned, you are to never assume.
You and Lawson put on your masks and made sure they were snug. Lawson stayed by your side as you used your Halligan to get the door open. It was time to start your search together while others were working on their sector. You could feel the heat in the building. The smoke worsened the visibility, but you and Lawson stayed close together.
“FIRE DEPARTMENT CALL OUT.” You made sure to project your voice since the fire was roaring. Lawson would check in with you, and you made sure to return the favor. You moved together like a well-oiled machine. As your search of your section was coming to an end, a shelf caught your eye. You would expect it to be dirty and older. It seemed cleaner than you would expect from an abandoned building. The seam where the back of the shelf was supposed to meet the wall looked off. You went to the side of it and started to push. For a moment, you doubted that you would be able to move the shelf, but thankfully, it moved fairly easily. You would have to remember to thank your Captain for the strength workouts they have been dragging you to. Behind the shelving unit was a door. Whoever was using this must not have expected this because the door was left unlocked.
“Lawson, keep searching. I am going to check this area.”
“Flare, are you sure? I don't want you going off being risky when it's not needed. The building seems empty.”
“Trust me. My gut is telling me to go through here. It's usually right. “
“Oh yeah, well don't forget about the time we had to spend the night in jail because your gut thought that clown was up to no good.”
“He looked sketchy! And I had no idea there was a kid's birthday party. Who even hires clowns anymore!?! Not the point, let's just finish the search. Also, can we not have this convo not in the middle of a fire?”
“Fine, I trust you. Just come back in one piece, yeah? I can’t have my cornhole partner out of commision because they are an idiot.”
“Please, we have that tournament against the police department in our district. That douche Owens needs to be knocked down a peg.”
You walked through the door and went downstairs. The heat felt like it increased tenfold. There was a secondary fire going down here. You started your search, making sure to call out for any survivors. Finally, you got to the last room, which seemed to be a lab. You looked at the area, and it appeared the fire had been alive longer down here than upstairs. You had done some work in arson investigation, and based on your quick assessment, the fire more than likely started here. There were vials and paperwork which was helping feed the fire.
Based on everything you saw down in the area, you knew that this warehouse was not as abandoned as your team thought.
You grabbed your walkie to inform the Captain of the news.
“Cap, it feels like this place was used recently. There is a hidden secondary location. It was hidden behind a shelving unit. I completed the search and confirmed there is no life down here.”
“Good job, Flare. All areas are clear. Everyone, evacuate so we can knock down this fire.”
You made sure to stay low under the smoke when the fire changed. You know that movement anywhere and knew a flashover was coming. You ran by the table that had the vials and tried to duck for cover. You didn't notice the flammable sign through the black smoke.
“Flare, are you down here?” Your heart sped up rapidly, realizing that Lawson had come down here looking for you. You could feel your heart beating against your chest. If she walked in, she could get caught in the flashover. Your heart hammered against your chest. You wouldn’t lose anyone else. Your body moved before your mind could catch up.
“LAWSON!” Jumping up from your spot as fast as you could, you ran towards your best friend. You grabbed her hand and pushed her into the furthest corner by a cabinet. You shielded her body as the fire flashed over. The mysterious chemicals finally reached their limit, and an explosion went off by your previous shelter. You could feel the fire lick your back as the fire craved to consume everything. All you could think about was protecting her.
Both your and Lawson's PASS devices were alerting others of where you were. Your body was so tired. Lawson was mostly shielded with light burns on her turnout coat. Even with the boost of adrenaline, you could feel the pain of the burns where the fire ate through your turnout gear.
“Flare! Lawson! We're coming!” You could hear your team come through your walkie. You tried to respond, but your limbs were growing tired. You tried to will your vocal cords into working, but the low oxygen and adrenaline wearing off has left you feeling weight down like a brick. You gathered any strength you had left in your tank to help Lawson up.
“Next time you have a gut feeling, maybe ignore it.” You could tell your best friend was exhausted.
“When we have a chance, I am going to take you to that burger place we like with the garlic aioli. Drinks, shakes, burgers, and fries are all on me, I promise.”
“That sounds like heaven on Earth. You just earned yourself a little more time as my bestie.”
“Should I be offended that I have to buy your love?”
You and Lawson started hobbling back to the exit. You felt like something was off. As you two walked, you were sure you were missing something. Sure enough, you saw the flammable sign, which was the last thing you saw before another explosion went off. It felt like slow motion at first as you tried to cover Lawson again, so you took the brunt of the explosion. You saw your best friend lying there, while your ears were ringing. Your body finally had enough, causing you to pass out.
There was shouting, and you could feel yourself being carried. You needed to open your eyes, but God, you were so tired. Your body was exhausted, and it was too hot. It felt like the fire was consuming you. As if it jumped directly into your veins and was eating you from the inside out. You opened your eyes at what felt like a snail's pace. Your brain was trying to process everything. All you could feel was fire and pain, but it was like you weren't in control of your limbs. You looked up at the dark sky. That is the one thing you missed from where you grew up. It was a small city, so you could see the stars. You looked around and saw Engine knocking down the fire with Truck assisting. Your heart stopped when you saw one of the paramedics performing CPR on Lawson.
You tried your hardest to talk. To say anything just so your best friend could hear you. However, your lead filled body filled with fire was keeping you from immediately speaking or moving. Getting burned and dealing with heat is part of the profession, but this felt like a whole different beast. One of the paramedics finally noticed you were awake.
“Flare is awake.” A couple of your squadmates rushed over.
“Hey, you are going to be okay.”
“We will meet you at Med. We will bring some stuff from your home for you.”
“L-L-Lawson?” Your throat felt like you drank battery acid, and it hurt to speak. None of that mattered; all you needed was your best friend. Before anyone could answer, our Captain came over and started giving orders.
“Ambo 61 takes Lawson, and Ambo 32 takes Flare. Take care of my firefighters. You both are going to be okay.” You could tell your Captain was trying hard to keep it together.
The light difference in the ambo was like a flashbang compared to the night sky. You recognized the paramedic watching your vitals and tending to your burns as best as they could. You could feel the fire roaring within you. It was going to burn you from the inside out. This feeling was hell on Earth, you were so sure of it. You tried to focus on the paramedic whose name you felt bad for forgetting.
You had to focus all your strength on trying to speak.
“Will s-she be ok?” The paramedic pondered your question. She knew exactly who you were referring to.
“The paramedics from your station were able to perform CPR successfully. You are both strong.”
It felt like your pain lessened just a small fraction. Your best friend was okay for now. The relief helped the pain slightly. You felt like you could rest for a moment. Your eyes were like bricks, and you couldn’t hold out any longer.
“No no I need you to stay awake.” The station 32 paramedic wanted to keep you awake until the hospital.
“Just so tired. Need a little rest.” You let your eyes close, and the last thing you heard was rapid beeping before the darkness took you.