Today is the day that I died, or so I thought. The day went by like any other normal day; it started when I awake at six AM drinking a hot cup of black coffee, clocking into work by eight AM, and then worked until the end of my shift. I spent some time with my mother and ran a few errands of my own before heading home. In all my years on this earth, I couldn't fathom today going down in flames, quite literally.
Tonight, I stopped by Krispy Creme for a late snack after a long day at the station. I've heard all the jokes about cops and their doughnuts. Unfortunately, in my case, they couldn't be any more true. I'll eat my sweet treats morning, noon, and night. Luckily, before the shop closes, I was able to grab half a dozen glazed doughnuts.
Oh man, they are so good. Each bite made my toes curl in a way no man has ever been down while driving down the empty street. Thank God no one can see me now pigging out. I practically had a freshmen make-out session. Crumbs fell all over the front of my once-clean shirt, and it's a good thing I'm off duty. Once I'm home, I'm going straight to the tub for a nice lavender soak.
The low hum of classic rock played softly in the background of my vehicle. Eventually, my fingers tapped to the beat against the steering wheel as I finished my snack. It's nice when things are calm and quiet like this moment, which is hard to come by since I work for the NYPD.
A split second after this thought, a car pulled out in front of me without yielding. I slammed on the breaks, avoiding a collision, and laid on my horn.
"Dip shit!" My road rage is released.
This guy pulls out before me just to get stuck at the same stoplight. It would be nice if I were on duty so I could pull him over.
As I drove along the road a few blocks ahead, I noticed the unmistakable flashing of red and blue lights. Then, the distinct horn of emergency vehicles blared behind me as I pulled to the right. They zoomed past me, heading straight to the source of the flashing lights.
"Shit," I muttered, driving in that direction as well.
Once I was down the street, I realized the emergency vehicles were responding to a fire. A big fire.
Police cars lined the block, and firetrucks did their best to subdue the flames engulfing the apartment complex. Water is fired at the building in their best efforts. It seems like the fire started from the top floor and is making its way down. It's a horrifying sight to witness, a haunting and tragic scene. I parked my car and stepped out, rushing over to the other policemen.
"Stop right there, do not come any closer." A fellow officer stopped me with a raised hand.
I took out my badge from my back pocket and hung it around my neck.
"Let her through, Nick." Sargent Segura, my supervisor, spoke up from a group of officers.
I ducked underneath the caution tape, joining the others. Sarg is my senior by a decade or two, long enough to have worked with my father before his passing.
"What the hell are you doing here Tanner, you're off duty." He grumbled at me, stress creasing his forehead.
Police scrambled with the residents who were rushing out of the apartment building. Panic controlled the scene unfolding before my eyes.
"I'm here to assist in any way I can help," I told Segura.
He scoffed, "There's nothing we can do. Fires are going to take the building, and firefighters are sweeping for the last of the residents inside."
A commotion from the side caught the Sargent's attention, a woman searching amongst the crowd calling out a name.
"Maverick!"
YOU ARE READING
Holding On To You
Vampire"When I said I've had a hard life, it wasn't meant as a challenge for the universe to up the ante into a living hell. Let me start from the beginning, this spiral of madness began the night I died after running into a burning building. That's when h...
