Chapter Nineteen

A Fallen Hero

“It’s going to blow!” The chief declares, causing me to stare up at the five houses about to explode. Not a half hour ago, three of our guys were trapped inside one of those homes. We got them and the boy out just before the captain ordered everyone out. Now, we all sit here, assaulted by the flames, watching solemnly as the beams buckle and the roof starts to cave in.

Tearing the oxygen mask from my face, I force myself to stand on shaky legs and stare at the cloud of black smoke billowing in angry waves above the fire.

“Miss, you need to step back,” the captain orders. “Everyone needs to back away.”

“Casale, put the damn mask back on your face,” Gary growls, coughing himself as he stares up at the smoke. “We did all we could. At lease we got everyone out alive.”

My throat constricts, and I try to drag in a deep breath, but my lungs are too bruised from inhaling smoke for three hours straight, causing me to cough uncontrollably. Gary pounds a fist against my back but it does nothing to unclog the airways and I continue to choke.

“You need to get to the fucking hospital,” he growls. With his arm draped around my shoulders, he grabs the oxygen mask and pushes it over my face before calling out for medical attention.

Waving him off, I try to catch my breath. I tell myself, I’m a fucking pro at this shit and remind myself it isn’t the first time I’ve had smoke fill these lungs. But it is the first time in seventeen years, I can’t get it under control.

My chest starts to ache at the strain of my failing lungs and for the first time in my career, I’m nervous. In seventeen years, I’ve found myself in some dire situations and like a cat has nine lives, I started to believe I did as well.

Never did my life flash before my eyes.

Never did I wish I would’ve called out of work.

Never did I wish I would’ve called my daughters before I jumped on a rig.

And never did a woman’s face haunt me.

The bitter pill of regret leaves a bad taste in my mouth and forces me to close my eyes and pray.

“Shit, Jimmy, you don’t look good. I need medical attention over here!!” Gary shouts but his voice is a dull whisper compared to the other voice I hear screaming my name desperately.

“JIMMY!”

Knowing my mind is either playing tricks on me or this really is the end of the line for me, I peel the mask away from my face and grab my knees as I struggle to draw in a breath. I hear my name again and force my eyes to focus. Following the sound of a female voice crying out for me, I turn my head and see her standing behind the caution tape, struggling against a police officer.

Her eyes lock with mine and her arms flail as she pushes against the cop. Charging underneath the caution tape, she starts running towards me.

“Jimmy!”

“Melissa,” I rasp.

Struggling to memorize her features, my eyelids become heavy before everything fades to black.

Her.

Me.

Us.

Another fallen hero.