by Joy Wild
“Hey Mark,” the fire chief said as he raced up to him.
“Hey, there’s a woman and a baby in this car, but I can’t get to them. The passenger side is up against the wall, and the driver’s side is crushed in. The woman is breathing but unconscious. The baby is in the back seat in a car seat but not moving around,” Mark told him.
“Okay, we’ll have them out shortly. As soon as the firefighters pull him out of the car, my crew will pull his car back. Then we can get the jaw of life in there to get them out.
“Hey, Chief,” Autumn said.
“Hey Autumn, there’s a woman and baby in this car. Mark couldn’t get to them.”
Glancing at Mark, Autumn didn’t say a word. She looked around the car and said, “I can get to the baby, Chief.”
“How?”
“I’m going to climb over the car and break the back passenger side window in. I can slide in and get to the baby. I’ll be able to check the mom too. This will buy some time till they can get the jaws in.”
“Okay, if you can. What do you need?”
“A coat. I will need to cover them while they are being cut out.”
Chief Jackson pulled off his turnout coat and handed it to Autumn.
“Thank you,” Autumn told him and took the coat.
“What are you doing, Autumn? This is too dangerous,” Mark told her.
“I’m doing my job. This is what I do. Leave me alone and let me do it,” Autumn said as she walked away.
Mark watched her climb onto the car’s hood and slowly started climbing over the top to reach the side window. He watched as she pulled out a window punch and broke the glass as carefully as she could. Then she disappeared over the car. His heart was beating fast as he watched her disappear. He saw when she reached the baby, and she began checking her. Then she leaned over the driver’s seat to check the mother.
Mark stepped back to watch the scene unfold. He wasn’t a medic, but he knew too many people made the job harder. He breathed a sigh of relief as the fire department got the guy out of his car and into an ambulance he hadn’t even seen pull up. He saw Winter jump in the back with the patient, and the ambulance drove off. Then using the fire truck and chains, the crew pulled the car back to get to the other vehicle.
“Get the mother first. I have the baby,” he heard Autumn tell the crew. They went to work with the jaws and got the door open. They did their jobs quickly and had the mother removed and placed on a long spine board in what seemed like seconds. As they carried the mother to the ambulance. Mark noticed a spark coming from the hood of the car. He yelled as the flames shot out from under the hood.
“Autumn, get out!” Mark yelled.
The fire crew grabbed hoses and headed back to the car. Autumn undid the car seat and moved it over. She kicked out the window before anyone got to her to punch it out. She was pushing the car seat out the window, where her partner grabbed it. He headed to the ambulance with the baby, but Autumn was still inside the car.
“Autumn!” Mark yelled as he watched the flames get into the car.
Two firefighters pulled Autumn through the window faster than she could crawl out herself and got her away from the car while the others worked on putting out the fire. Mark knew everything happened fast, but it felt like an eternity. He reached Autumn just as the firefighters helped her stand on her feet. She immediately winced and grabbed her side.
“You’re hurt,” Mark said.
“I’m fine,” she said to Mark. “Thanks, guys,” she said to the firefighters, and then she turned to go to the ambulance. Mark watched the ambulance leave.
“You might as well forget about her, man,” a firefighter broke into Mark’s thoughts.
“Who?” Mark asked.
“Autumn. In case you don’t know, she will never date anyone. Her ex sees to it,” the firefighter said.
“Her ex?” Mark asked, confused.
“Yea, she used to be married to Blake Daze. He’s a real piece of work. He did a number on that girl.”
“Blake Daze, the football player? How did he do a number on her?” The hair on the back of Mark’s neck was standing up.
“I don’t know. I only know it was bad. Autumn came to work a couple of times with a black eye. Said she ran into a cabinet once. I’m not sure about the second time.”
“Wow. I did not know. Thanks for sharing.”
“No problem. I saw the way you were watching her. Her ex doesn’t let anyone get close to her. Be very careful.”
“Will do,” Mark said and headed back to his car.
That’s when he knew he was right about her being in trouble.
11
Autumn sat on the couch in the station lounge. They were all gathered around watching the news. The weather channel was talking about a hurricane in the gulf.
Great, just what we need. Autumn thought. Well, hopefully, it will stay headed for Florida.
“All right, crews, it appears that we need to begin preparations here. If the hurricane heads our way, it will be all hands on deck,” the supervisor told them. “This isn’t our first rodeo, but we do have some newer employees that aren’t prepared for hurricane duty. Let’s get everything ready. We have a max of seventy-two hours before this hurricane starts hitting.”
Everyone got up to start getting the station ready.
Autumn, Chris, and another medic were hanging plywood over a window when Autumn stretched up to hold the board. She cried out and immediately grabbed her side, causing her to drop the panel. Chris jumped off the ladder as the board came crashing down. Before he could catch the board, it smacked Autumn in the head, knocking her down.
“Ow!” Autumn said, reaching for her head. When she pulled her hand away, there was blood on her hand. “Dammit,” she said.
“Autumn, are you okay?” Chris immediately got up to check on her. He fell on his butt when he jumped off the ladder to avoid the board.
“I’m fine. I’m such a klutz,” she said.
“Come on, let’s get inside and check you out.”
As soon as they walked inside, they were met by the supervisor.
“What happened?” he asked.
“I’m a klutz and dropped the board. He fell off the ladder, and the board hit me. No big deal,” Autumn said before Chris could say anything.
“I didn’t fall. I jumped off,” Chris said. “She dropped the board because her side hurts.”
“Well, you are going to the hospital to get checked out,” the supervisor, John, said.
“No. I’m fine,” Autumn said.
“Don’t argue. It’s worker’s comp, and there are protocols to follow.”
“Yes, sir,” Autumn sighed. She knew she didn’t have a choice.
“You take her to the hospital,” John told Chris. “I’ll get the paperwork.”
“Yes, sir,” Chris said.
After John walked away to get paperwork, Autumn peered at Chris and said, “How about we tell him we went and call it good?”
“Nope,” Chris said. “Get in, or you will ride like a patient.”
“Ugh!” Autumn growled.
John came back out and handed the paperwork to Chris.
“Give this to the ER nurse,” he told Chris.
“Will do. I’ll radio dispatch and let them know we’re down.”
“Okay, let me know if you need anything.” He glared at Autumn and said, “Behave.”
She simply nodded and turned away. She knew this was not going to end well. She was going to have to figure out what to say about her side. Autumn couldn’t afford any questions.
When they arrived at the hospital, Autumn was immediately taken to an exam room. As the door opened, she looked up, expecting a doctor, but instead, Mark walked in.
“Great,” she mumbled.
“Well, it’s good to see you too,” Mark laughed.
“Go away, Mark,” she told him.
“Nope. Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” he said as he crossed his arms and took a de
termined military stance which made Autumn uncomfortable.
Autumn sat in silence, determined she would not say anything. She couldn’t even look at Mark. Damn, why does he have to be so good-looking? The door opened again. Saved, she thought to herself, but when she glanced up, the color drained from her face. Standing next to Mark was her ex-husband, and from the look on his face, he was pissed.
“Autumn, why the hell are you in the ER, and you didn’t call me?” the man asked.
“I’m fine. I had a board hit me in the head, and my supervisor is making me get it checked. It’s nothing,” Autumn said. She kept her eyes lowered because she knew better than to look him in the eyes. Autumn knew what would happen later if she did. She knew he hated it when she looked him in the eyes as if they were equals. He would remind her very quickly that he was superior to her in every way.
She tried not to peek at Mark, but she could feel his stare all the way to her bones as if he were compelling her to pay attention to him. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and looked up. The look in his eyes was of concern, question, and maybe a touch of anger. She didn’t have time to say anything before he did. He introduced himself to her ex-husband. This day just keeps getting better.
“Detective Mark Owens,” Mark said to the man. He stuck his hand out to him to shake hands.
“Blake Daze,” the man said, looking at the hand with disdain.
“Well then,” Mark said and dropped his hand.
“Why is a detective here, Autumn?” Blake asked her, and she could feel the anger emitting from him. She didn’t respond fast enough for him.
“Look at me,” Blake said, in a voice she had learned to obey quickly. She stared up at him, and she could see the anger. His face was red, and she knew the look well.
“He was just checking on me. He is a friend of Spring’s, and he was the one who helped find Spring when she ran away. I told you about him.” Autumn was trembling as she spoke because she knew every word would cost her later.
“You can leave, detective. As you can see, she is fine,” Blake said without taking his eyes from Autumn.
“I think I will hang around until the doctor gets here. As her ex-husband, you have no authority here,” Mark growled as he emphasized the ex part.
Blake immediately bowed up, but before he could say anything, the doctor came in.
“Well, Autumn, it seems like you got a hard head,” he joked.
Autumn gave a small smile to the doctor. He looked from her to the two men in the room that appeared like they were about to fight.
“Gentlemen, if you would please wait in the waiting room, I need to take care of my patient,” he told Mark and Blake.
“I’m her husband, and I will stay,” Blake said.
“Ex-husband,” Mark interjected. “We will wait outside.”
Mark opened the door, and Autumn watched Blake. She knew he was going to be pissed, but he walked out. Autumn sighed in relief.
“So, what is going on, young lady?” the doctor asked.
“Nothing. I dropped a board we were putting up on the station window, which fell on my head. I am fine, doc. I didn’t lose consciousness; I didn’t even see stars.”
“Well, let’s take a gander at it and see if you need stitches,” the doc said. He began his routine of checking her pupils and listening to her lungs. She knew the checklist he had to check off. When the doctor listened to her lungs, she couldn’t take a deep breath without wincing in pain. She tried to hide it, but the doctor was astute and saw it.
“Let me see, Autumn,” he told her. After hesitating, she lifted her shirt, and he gasped at the bruise on her side.
“How did this happen?” he asked her.
“I slipped on the wet floor in my bathroom. I hit the bathtub. It is no big deal,” she lied.
“We are going to x-ray it to see if you broke anything.”
“No. I’m fine. Clear me to go back to work. I’m here for my head only.”
“Autumn, you can’t work like this,” the doc said, gently touching her arm.
“You don’t understand, doc. I have to. I have no choice. Period,” Autumn told him, using the firmest voice she could muster. “We have a hurricane coming,” she added.
“Are either one of those men hurting you?” the doc asked. Autumn knew he was watching her face for any sign of a lie.
“No. I told you I fell,” Autumn reiterated, much calmer than she felt inside.
“Okay then. I have to ask,” he said, patting her hand.
“I know, doc. I appreciate your concern, but I am fine.”
“Well, your head is okay. It was a small cut and has already sealed itself. You can go back to work because I know you will anyway. Be careful washing your hair and try not to re-open the cut. It will heal quickly.”
“Thank you, doc,” Autumn said as she got up from the table. She tucked her shirt back in very carefully.
“You’re welcome. I’ll send the nurse in with your discharge papers.”
“Thank you,” Autumn said again as she sat down to wait. Anything to avoid the two men standing outside her door.
It wasn’t five minutes later when the nurse came in with her papers. She signed them and took her copy to give to her supervisor. She walked out the door, and without a word to either man, she headed for the outside doors. Her partner would be waiting in the ambulance for her. She had almost made it to the passenger door when someone yanked her arm around. She cried out in pain as she spun to see who it was.
Blake slammed her up against the ambulance and kissed her. Right in front of Mark. She stood rigid. She couldn’t fight him, and he knew it. He took advantage of that fact.
“Just wait until later, love,” Blake whispered in her ear, and she shuddered. “I will be there tonight. I want to see my daughter.”
“Autumn, are you okay?” a voice asked. Blake stepped back.
“I’m fine, Chris,” she told her partner.
“Oh my gosh, you’re Blake Daze,” Chris said.
“I am,” Blake said as he put on his kiss the ass of the fan's face. Autumn knew that smile too well. Once upon a time, he had her all googly-eyed too.
Autumn smiled as she watched Chris act like a teenager, but her smile faded when she gazed over at Mark. He was pissed. It felt like he was shooting daggers at her.
Well serves him right. I didn’t ask him to get involved. I can handle my own shit. I have to, for Abby’s sake.
12
“Unit 110, are you available?” a voice came across the radio.
“10-4,” Autumn responded.
“Need you en route to a shooting, police on the scene.”
“10-4, en route,” Autumn replied. “Let’s go, Chris.”
Autumn eyed Blake, and he smiled at her. It was the evil smile she had come to know. She turned and got in her unit, and Chris drove off.
Chris knew the location of the shooting, so he made record time getting her there.
Autumn put on her gloves as they rolled up to the scene. The Sheriff's office was doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), so Autumn rushed to help them as Chris got the stretcher ready. They wasted no time lifting the young girl to the stretcher and getting into the back of the unit. The sheriff’s deputy jumped in to continue CPR while Autumn intubated the patient to bag air into the lungs. She hooked up the cardiac monitor, which showed a small amount of electrical activity. She took the paddles from her cardiac monitor and prepared to shock the girl, to try and get her heart working again. For the first time, Autumn saw the face of the young girl and gasped. The girl on her stretcher was so much like Abby that she froze.
“Autumn, shock her!” Chris yelled. His yell snapped Autumn out of her trance, and she proceeded to shock her. She managed to get a slow sinus rhythm back, but the girl was too bradycardic to be in the clear. She got her IV going and told Chris to haul ass to the hospital.
After arriving at the hospital, they turned the care over to the ER staff. Chris went to make the stret
cher back up with clean sheets, and Autumn went to do paperwork. She tried not to be a messy paramedic and leave stuff everywhere, but she left a mess in the ambulance because a child was involved. Chris never fusses, but she felt terrible knowing he had to go clean that up. She sat down at her laptop to fill in the paperwork, but her thoughts drifted to that sweet little red-headed girl in the trauma room. She appeared so much like her precious Abby that it scared her. A woman’s scream brought her out of her trance. The girl’s mother had been told that even though every effort had been made to save her daughter, she passed away from her injuries. Autumn teared up, knowing how that mother must feel losing her baby. She knew how she would feel if it had been Abby.
Autumn finished her paperwork as quickly as she could and got up to leave. She couldn’t help but stop and talk to the grieving mother.
“Thank you,” the mother said, still wiping her eyes.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” was all Autumn could say.
“No one can understand my pain,” the mother said.
“I understand more than you know,” Autumn replied.
“Really? Are you a mother?” she asked.
“Again, I’m so sorry for your loss,” Autumn said quickly and headed to meet Chris, who was coming in the door.
“Ready?” Chris asked.
“Yep,” Autumn said. Somehow the pain in her side didn’t seem so important now.
As they drove back toward the station, Autumn was noticing that around the city people were preparing for a hurricane. Boards were going up on windows, outdoor furniture and decorations were being moved inside. Autumn could feel the tension in the air. Is it the hurricane or Blake that made me tense?
The rest of the shift finished out. The upper management cut the shifts in half for now until everyone had to come in for the hurricane. It gave employees time to go home and prepare their own homes and families. Autumn didn’t have to worry about the house. Blake’s people would take care of all of that. Her only concern was Abby.
