He nods and joins me. We’re kicking in the wall with all the strength we have to get to this family. I’ll be damned if they don’t make it out of here tonight.
Finally, after what feels like hours of kicking, the wall finally breaks.
“I see an arm!” I shout when I spot a hand poking out from underneath debris. This is where the huge hole in the stairs came from, and I’m once again feeling disturbed that Tommy and I just walked right over it and didn’t even consider that there might be someone underneath.
We make quick work of clearing drywall and debris, uncovering the family of three inside: a mom, dad, and small child who’s probably around five or six years old.
The dad is the only one awake. “Thank God. I’m so glad you found us.”
Fuck, me too, brother.
He stands on shaking legs and puts the child into my arms. “Please get her out of here.”
“We’re going to get all three of you out of here, sir. Can you walk?”
He nods. “I think so.”
“Good, because we need to go back up the stairs before they’re consumed by fire,” I shout over the roar of the flames.
“Cap!” I shout into my radio. “We’re coming out! We need someone on the ladder ready to help us get this family out.”
“On it,” he responds.
Tommy grabs the wife and hauls her over his shoulder like she weighs nothing before following me back up the stairs. We carefully pass by the hole, and when I look down, my stomach flutters with relief.
Now,howthese stairs crumbled in this exact spot, I’m not sure, but that’s a story for another day.
We go back into the bathroom we came in through; Henry is waiting for us and lowers a harness through the hole.
I turn to the dad. “Climb up this rope and that firefighter up there will pull you up!”
The man’s eyes are bloodshot and exhausted, but filled with sadness as he looks at his wife and child.
“Don’t worry,” I say, my voice a bit softer than before. “They’re going to be okay.”
And I mean that. I couldn’t save my son, but I’m going to make sure that this family is reunited.
Ten minutes later, we’re all finally out of the house right before the whole thing collapses. Nash called for backup to help put the fire out because of its intensity, and they’re already here by the time my feet hit the ground. My hard-on is causing me so much pain right now, but I ignore it and put all of my focus on my job.
After making sure each family member is in an ambulance and on their way to the same hospital, I take off my helmet, hood, and face mask to get some fresh air.
I go back into the truck to grab my phone and check to see if there are any messages or missed calls from Essence, and my heart nearly skips a beat when I see one.
The excitement I’m feeling quickly dissipates, though, when I see what she’s written.
ESSENCE:
I know you said not to talk to Evan again, but I need closure. Please don’t be mad at me.
“Fuck!” I roar, throwing my phone onto the ground and shattering the screen.
“Dante?” Nash says, rushing over to me. “What’s wrong?”
I let out a shuddering breath through my teeth. “I need to leave.Now.”
He looks concerned, but he doesn’t ask any questions as he nods. He knows I’ll talk to him if and when I’m ready.
“Go ahead. I didn’t mean to hold you up.” He calls Tommy over to give me a ride back to the firehouse.
