Blazing Fire

Chapter Four

The radio blasts from the front seat. It's just the two of us, me and my dad.

About two weeks have passed by sense the arrival of Blaze (yes, I've kept track. Don't judge me). Today's been pretty hectic, once again. Jockies, cheerleaders, gossip, school work,... Okay, so, I guess the normal jist. But it feels good to be here right now, to finally have some time with dad.

Dad smiles at me as he drives. We are going to go out to dinner. Most likely Domo 77 but we're still trying to decide just a little. "How was your day?" He finally makes some talk.

"All good in the hood," I say in a sarcastically smooth voice as I turn the radio down. (That's very hard to do sense Thriftshop is on, but I like it when dad and I have conversations.)

"Any boys I should know about?" He raises an eyebrow, half jokingly. Oh, if only he knew. At the same time, there's really nothing to know however, so I just snort. "Dad, look at me. You think I have a boyfriend? Stop making me feel bad."

"Stop it, Hallie. You're gorgeous," dad chuckles. I don't want to smile because then it would look like I've officially agreed which I don't. I just murmur a "thanks, I guess," and stare out the window.

Moments later, while dad is talking to me about summer plans, a little beeping noise buzzes throughout the car. I recognize it right away as dad's radio. His personal work-related radio. Uh-oh.

Dad utters a swear as he fumbles for it. He clicks it. "Yes, Richard Jackson, Fire Fighter 4 at West Nelson Fire Department, what's happened?" I continue to stare out the window mindlessly, but I listen to the radio, sense it's on high volume after all.

"This is your Department Caption, Rich. There appears to be an emergency located on Evingston Street... it's quite a big house, and it's completely in flames. Cause is unknown, but we're going to need back up." I know it's selfish, but all I can think about is that I won't be able to have that dinner after all. "I'm on my way, sir. Stuff is in my car. Be there in three minutes max."

"Thank-" it cuts off as dad clicks the radio, and shoves it away, in a hurried manner. He looks quite stressed.

"Hallie, I have no time to take you home, can you wait in the car or something? I'm sorry you have to come but-" "It's fine," I say right away. Seems like a little action. I like a little action.

In one seems like just seconds, dad is in front of a huge burning house- HUGE. And the flames? Well, let's just say they're not that small either. Dad's already in the trunk putting on his uniform, and setting up the equipment he needs, all the while telling me to stay safe in the car.

Before he shuts the door, I stop him. "Dad?"

"What?"

"I love you." Dad starts to say the words back to me, but the trunk is already shut, and the sound doesn't travel, and he's already dashing up the front walk full of sparks and ash.

The yard and house is a mess, and it's a shame. It's depressing actually, because I've never been this close to such a big horrible fire before. Firefighters-- and lots of them --are running about, along with neighbors and crying people, most likely the people that live there.

And then I start to think. I start to wonder why I am sitting on my ass in this car while my dad is fighting a fire, and while all these people are in so much grief. I wonder what would happen if I just ran out of the car and went to go be a hero, like everyone else but me seems to be. I'd probably get in a lot of trouble with me dad,... if I made it. And besides, what could I help with exactly?...

And then one of those crying people scream in agonizing emotional pain, "BUT SHE'S STILL IN THERE. WITH HER CHILDREN. THEY'RE DYING!" And as if it's some kind of instinct, I do exactly what I've been thinking.

I run out of the car to help.

I ignore all the shouts to stop, probably one of them being my own dad, but there's this perfect open window that I don't see why the fire fighters wouldn't have used yet, and I leap through it.

The place is horrible. My eyes are already steaming up and I want to leave, but it's too late and I'd just look like one stupid coward. It smells smokey, and it's so hot. I throw off my normal shirt sense there is a tank top underneath, and I run to look for those children and that woman.

The fire is so close, and the ceiling is making really unsettling snapping noises, and I'm going to be in for some trouble quite soon.

I'm getting this really bad memory of the movie, "The Outsiders," sense we had to watch it in school once... Johny died, and Ponyboy got injured, and it wasn't good. I hope I do not end up like Johny.

A noise breaks my fear and my thoughts.

There is a shuffling in the next room, and while I don't know where the actual door frame is with all the smoke and crackling, there are a few loose boards on the wall. If I can pull those back, I can get to the source of the noise- it's definitely someone moving around in there.

I huff and I take those boards and rip them apart as a bright orange fire blinds me from the other side. The heat flies over and lands right on my face, and I wince back- opening my eyes to see not just the blaze of the fire ahead of me, but- Blaze! Blaze Anderson.