She should have known. If she wasn’t so groggy, she could have just looked at the room and known the answer. “They were concerned about smoke inhalation and you have a concussion.”
“Smoke? I don’t remember responding to any…”
Reality hit her square between her eyes. Her migraine flared with the memory. Conjuring every horrible incident. Flashes of Sam in the fire. Of fighting with Stew as the world burned down around them. Going back to get him out of the inferno. There seemed to be an integral part of the story missing. She didn’t remember making it out. Maybe Mike was nothing more than an angel sent to tell her the bad news. That she didn’t survive. That doesn’t explain the migraine.
Her consciousness was waning. She fought to hold on, but the pain was so intense. Just don’t pass out before you know she is safe, don’t let the blackness take you away, not yet. Her hand went to her throat, trying to force the words.
“It will be sore for a while. They had to put you on a respirator.”
“Where is Sam? Is she ok?” She squeaked out, sounding like a frog.
“She is fine. I gave her a break. Practically had to drag her kicking and screaming. She hasn’t left your side since…” He couldn’t seem to finish the thought. “She is gonna be upset she isn’t here.”
Jaky wanted to ask more but couldn’t hang on. The truth was, there wasn’t any other question worth her fighting the dark. As long as Sam was safe, she could let go.
XXX
Sam was devastated she had not been there. Jak had saved her and, for some reason, risked her own life for that maniac. It graded on her to know that he was in this same hospital. The only saving grace, he had yet to awake from his coma. An officer had been stationed by his door twenty-four hours a day. Not that it was necessary; between the concussion, burns and smoke inhalation, they weren’t sure he would ever recover. With any luck, he would spend the rest of his days in a vegetative state, hooked up to a ventilator. It was terrible to think, but she never wanted to worry about him coming for her again.
She hadn’t been able to sleep without the nightmares. She knew that her time could have been worse. He could have physically harmed her. Tortured her. Touched her in a way that could never be wiped clean. Funny. You are held captive. Physically scarred from being restrained. Nearly burned alive and yet, you are relieved. How odd.
The fingers she was holding flinched. Looking up instinctually, needing to sooth away her fears. Jak’s inhalation was minimal since she had carried Sam outside and gotten fresh air. Some swelling, but no lasting damage. Where Stewart, as she now knew his name, had been in the fire the entire time. His throat nearly closing to the point they couldn’t intubate. Still, there had been concern as to if there would be long lasting or permanent brain damage. Only time would tell. Officer Riddle had been more forthcoming than the hospital staff. She suspected that he knew she wouldn’t sleep at night without knowing if he was creeping about.
Instead of a flutter from a fitful dream, brown eyes shown back at her. When had she woken? Sam found, more often than not, she was getting lost in her mind. Hiding from reality. From the worry that tugged at the edges of her sanity.
It took all of her restraint to keep from jumping in bed and snuggling into the security of Jak’s warmth. The very thing that had kept her sane during her long incarceration.
“Hi beautiful.” The croaked-out words bringing a tear to her eyes. Would she ever hear that smooth confident voice again? “Don’t cry.”
“Sorry. I don’t know why.” Sam instinctually wanted to hide the weakness, to mask the tightness of her vocal cords.
“It’s alright. Come here.”
Jak was still weak and struggled to scooch over. As with everything else she was determined to do, Jak succeeded and pat the bed. When Sam didn’t immediately fill the space, she pulled on the hand intertwined with hers. Only accomplishing the release of Sam’s grip.
She couldn’t do it, crush Jak with her need. She had to rest. To feel better before having to deal with the excitement in recent days. Sam felt like nothing but a burden. Her mind had been a black hole, sucking all the negative energy in. Blaming herself for everything. For running out to the car. For trusting that Stewart was taking her home. For Jak having to save her, risking her own life in the process. There was so much bad juju. Karma that could not be reversed.
“Are you alright?”
That did it. Sam started balling into Jak’s shoulder. Here she was lying in a hospital bed because of me and the first thing she does is ask how I am.
“Jak I’m so sorry you’re in here. I didn’t mean for...”
“You have no reason to be sorry honey. Shhh…just lay with me a little while.”
“No. You nearly died because of me.”
“It’s not your fault. How could you think that? I’m so happy you’re okay.”
She cried for their tragic fortune. For the woman she thought she had lost. Trying to be careful as she climbed in the small bed. Taking in the scent she knew to be only Jak. How could something so simple, be so calming? She didn’t want to waste any more time on what could have happened. How she would survive if life had turned out differently.
After a few minutes, listening to Jak breathe, her tears stopped flowing. When she looked up, she expected Jak to be asleep again. As will all her expectations, Sam found that she was wrong. Jak was awake. Looking after her. Keeping her safe. Protecting her from the darkness that dwelled just below the surface. Her hero, as always.
“I love you.”
“I’ve always loved you and always will.”
Index/Glossary
SCBA – A self-contained breathing apparatus or Pack, is a device worn by firefighters to provide breathable air in an immediately dangerous to life or health atmosphere.
Interior Firefighters –perform tasks necessary to mitigate fires and other emergencies. Including the ability to wear full PPE and SCBA, deploy and manage hose lines, set up and climb ladders, enter hazardous environments for rescue/fire suppression operations.
Exterior Firefighters – used for scene support tasks. Set up ladders, change out oxygen bottles, man the hydrant, use exterior hose lines in defensive fire operations, etc.
Probie – A Probationary Firefighter, usually 1st year in fire service.
Backdraft – a phenomenon in which a fire that has consumed all oxygen suddenly explodes when more oxygen is made available, typically because a door or window has been opened.
Overhaul – moving debris in search of hidden fire extension. Used in conjunction with salvage operations to reduce losses caused by fire. One of the last steps in the firefighting process to ensure all embers are extinguished.
K (Kelly) Tool – 28-inch long steel bar used in forcible entry. The Kelly tool has two features; one end has a 3-inch wide adz, while the other end has a large fork.
Halligan Bar – Multi Tool. The most common/effective size being 30-inch forged steel. There are three components to the Halligan tool: adz, pike, and fork.
Married couple – Halligan and axe, carried together.
Bunker gear (Turnout Gear) – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by firefighter. Consists of a combination of trousers, suspenders, boots, and a jacket. The clothing overlapping to create a protective envelope for the firefighter to operate in.
Sprinkler Wedge – Like a door stopper/chock. 2 chocks are wedged together to stop a burst sprinkler.
Apron – Driveway to bay door.
Tags – Plastic w/ FF name on them. One set goes on truck, one at the door when entering a structure, one on bunker gear. Assist with accountability. (There are many systems used to keep accountability)
Wetdown - Ritual in which firefighters from neighboring towns commission a new fire apparatus or newly sworn in Fire Chief’s home by anointing the apparatus (truck) or Chief’s home with water sprayed from the visitors' firefighting equipment.
Pump Operator –Monitors water coming from hydrant and the water from the tank b
eing push out to the fire. The pump adjusts water pressure, increasing or lowering as needed.
Fast Team – A firefighter assist/search team, also known as a rapid intervention team/ rapid intervention crew/ rapid intervention dispatch (RIT/RIC/RID), a team of two or more firefighters dedicated solely to the search and rescue of other firefighters in distress.
Cover Assignment – another fire company that covers any additional calls that come in during a structure fire.
Life Member – Firefighter that has served a number of years on the department. Usually exempt from minimum percentage attendance/calls for service.
Job – confirmed structure fire.
About the Author
Lo’Ren A. Mayler has dedicated years of her life, and her knees, to her community. Serving on her local fire company for 8 years. Fire is more than a hobby, a fascination. It is a living breathing flame that each firefighter carries with them throughout life. A brother/sisterhood. Forever binding those in its service. Whether you are paid or volunteer, firefighters run into burning buildings. Risking their lives and future to save your house, property and most of all your life. She is proud to be on a company that responded during 911 and hurricane Sandy.
When she is not answering 911 calls, running into burning buildings or on patrol, you can usually find her with a brush, etcher or burner in her hand. Teaching paint parties, writing her next novel or trying to come up with the next fun thing to try.
Spending her time off with Ann, her wife of 10 years, their Morkie, and Cocker Spaniel. Life can get hectic but as long as every night ends with her family, it was a good day.
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