It was her. She was the one who was screaming. Tears streamed down her face.
“Let me go! Let me see her.” Riya pleaded with Ambrose, tried to release his grip on her. But she was too weak. She’d spent all her energy saving Dhillon.
“They’re taking her to the hospital.” Something in her lieutenant’s voice made her stop. There was worry in his eyes. Fear. For Hetal. “Desai. I need you to get a grip. That fire is still going.”
Riya looked at Ambrose’s grime-covered face. “She’s burned. She’s burned, and it’s my fault.” Her voice cracked.
Ambrose shook his head at her. “No. It’s not. You helped save her.” His voice was firm and unforgiving. “Come with me. There’s a goddamn fucking fire eating everything in its path. The paramedics, the flight medics, they know what they’re doing.”
She stood, paralyzed.
Ambrose was in her face. “You saved his life, Desai.” He pointed to the ambulance that was loading Dhillon. “Now, let’s see what we can save of his dream.”
She nodded at Ambrose, replaced her SCBA. “Let’s go.”
He replaced his own SCBA and headed toward the hose. Riya followed close behind.
“About fucking time.” Schultz’s voice was grim as they approached.
As they grabbed the hose and attempted to douse the flames with water, Riya forced herself to focus on the fire and not what might be happening with Dhillon and Hetal.
The captain appeared at her side. “There’s a woman asking for you.” He pointed, and Riya recognized Sarika Auntie even from here.
“It’s okay. I’m working.” She couldn’t face Auntie right now.
“She’ll only talk to you.” He put his gloved hand on the hose. “I’ll take your spot.”
Riya nodded and let go. She ran to Auntie, undoing her SCBA straps as she approached her.
“Where are they?” Sarika Auntie was close to tears. Riya had never seen her like this before.
“They’re on their way to the hospital.” At Auntie’s stricken face, Riya continued soothingly, not knowing where the calm was coming from, “They’re both okay. Dhillon took in some smoke. But Hetal is burned.”
“Burned?” Auntie’s eyes flicked back and forth as if she couldn’t understand the word.
“Auntie.” Riya fought her own tears, still managing to remain calm. “I have to take care of that fire. Call Ryan. Tell him to meet you in Trauma. Call Dr. Shah.”
Sarika Auntie nodded, pulling out her phone.
“You good?” Riya squeezed her arm.
“Yes, I’m good.”
“I’ll find you later.” Riya refastened her SCBA straps and returned to the line.
thirty-one
DHILLON
Dhillon opened his eyes to an unfamiliar face staring down at him. He inhaled, realizing there was an oxygen mask on his face.
“Hey, Doc. Welcome back!” The young paramedic’s features came into focus. He was familiar. A former colleague of Riya’s. Mario?
“Hey. Mario?” His throat was scratchy, and he was nauseous. He tried to move the oxygen mask.
Mario nodded and grinned. “Yep. But let’s just leave that there for a bit, okay?” He replaced the mask over Dhillon’s nose and mouth.
Dhillon nodded. “You picked up...Riya’s mom...” It hurt to talk.
