I remember it like it was yesterday. It was one of those dark, stormy days, the kind that sends chills down your spine and electric through your hair. I remember thinking that something horrible is going to happen soon. I was standing on the porch of our house just watching the storm approach when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Dad, Mom said to tell you that dinner's ready."
It was my son, Rei. He's sixteen and just like me. It's like looking at the younger version of myself as a kid.
"Tell her I'm coming." I tell him as I take another long look at the darkening sky above my head. I usually enjoy the thrill of a good storm but this feels different.
I walk into the kitchen as thunder rattles the windows.
"So, what's for dinner, Sweetie?" I ask as I sit next to my wife, Sondra.
"Spaghetti." she replied as if thinking deeply.
"What's wrong Sondra?" I asked.
"Oh, it's just the storm. You know I don't like them." she said.
"It'll be just fine." I told her even though I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.
At that moment, Lydian came galloping down the stairs at full speed.
"Whoa! Careful before you injure someone." says Sondra.
"Sorry, Mom! I'm just excited. Tryouts are tomorrow!"
She's trying out for cheerleading at her school. She's fourteen and so full of life. she's always peppy and energetic no matter what's going on.
"That's fine, Lydian. Just be careful." Sondra replies.
When she finally sits down, Sondra says grace and we continue our dinner and random conversation.
"So, Rei, have you heard from that job you applied for, yet?" I ask.
"Yes, they'll call to schedual an appointment soon." I can tell he's excited.
"That's good, son"
I was about to ask my daughter about tryouts when there was a loud, shrill noise coming from the living room.
I jump up quickly. "Put my dinner in the microwave. I shouldn't be long but don't wait up."
I guess I should tell you that I'm a professional firefighter and that loud shrill noise was my pager warning me of a emergency.
I jump into my black Silverado and flip the button to turn on my blue light and I speed down the country road, stirring up clouds of dust that gets lost in the equally dark sky.
CHAPTER 2
Minutes pass by and I am soon at Maddelyn County Fire department. I jump out of my truck and rush into the building. People are rushing around in a jumbled,yet organized mess. I ran straight to the gear locker that read "Scott Matthews" on top and drug my gear out. I hurry to put on my bunker pants, grab my jacket, helmet, and SCBA mask and ran quickly to Ladder 54. I get to the truck and we pull out.
"What are we dealing with today, Chief?" asks Noah.
"Unfortunately, I'm not sure. The radios are down because of the storm, which is why we're taking so many trucks." Aaden, our chief said.
Aaden's been chief for nearly a year now and it's seems as if he's been at it his whole life. He's a smart guy and perfect for this position.
"That's too bad. I was hoping for some mental preparation." says Koda from the back seat.
Koda and Noah are siblings, twins to be exact. They are nearly identical other than the fact that Koda's a female and Noah's a male. They're twenty two and very mature for their age.
It seems to take forever to get to our destination and I'm paying no attention to anything other than the storm and the knawing feeling in my stomach. At last we arrive and still paying no attention whatsoever, I jump from the truck.
I am putting on my jacket as I hear a gasp behind me.
"Oh my god!! Scott! Is that-?" Karmen says.
"SHANE!!!!" I'm already running towards the burning building.
"Are there any known occupants?" I hear Karmen screaming in terror.
I'm trying to get to the door but I'm stopped suddenly by someone pulling on my arm. It's Aaden.
"Scott, you cannot enter the building. You are not in full gear.." he says.
I look down to see what he's talking about. I see he's right. I only have on bunkers and an unzipped jacket. I run back to the truck and finish gearing up. Then, convinced that no one will stop me this time, I rush into the crumbling building, searching for Shane. All I see is fire dancing around me devilishly...
...to be continued.
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Wonderful thoughts dancing in Rhayne's head
Just random thoughts that pop into my head, random quotes, bits of poetry, surveys, stories...
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