ALL TOO FAST

Chapter 1:

Life can change in an instant; you can be fine just now and die in an hour. You don't know when or where is going to find you. In my field of work the chances of finding death are higher than for any other person. The difference is, we are trained to deal with it, we are trained to know what to do if it comes to that. But what we are not trained for is on how to deal with the loss of someone you love, someone you care for.

-Today we are here to commemorate and celebrate the life of Pruitt Herrera, the best and most dedicated fire chief Seattle fire department has. His legacy will forever be remembered. -Captain Ripley announced as other firefighters unveiled a commemorative bronze fire helmet sculpture with Herrera's name and years of service. They agreed to put this memorial in Station 19, his station, his house, his family. We lost him 2 years ago in a horrible fire, he died to save our lives.

The ceremony was quick, we firefighters don't have much time for amenities during a shift. We don't know when an emergency will hit, and we have to flee.

After the ceremony, we all got back to our chores and normal day duties. After Pruitt died, I was promoted to Captain of Station 19. First female captain of the best station in Seattle. I take pride in that and in the fact that I manage to maintain that status for these 2 years. I'm not going to lie, it was hard at first, but we adjusted, and our team thrived like it always does.

Our shift was ending and like every Friday, at the end of shift A, we head to Joes for a cold beer and a good time to relax without worrying.

-Twenty more minutes guys, and we are out. - Travis shouted from the storage room

-Shut up Travis, don't jinx...- The loud sirens cut Victoria off indicating that our aid car was needed.

-Okay Team, Montgomery and I will take this. - I shouted over the loud siren.

-Why me? – Travis protested

-Because you jinxed it. - I said playfully, receiving a groan in return.

-Dispatch, this is Captain Bishop, what's the status? –

-We have two injured males in a mall. One of them is sustaining a puncture wound. - The person on the other side of the comm responded.

-copy that, we are 3 minutes away.

-I bet you are wishing you chose Warren right about now.

-No actually, I don't. We do our job like we always do. We asses, stabilize and transport.

We are a family, but when it comes to work, I tend to be more serious and sterner. I am their captain, and they understand that now. It was harder at first, they thought I was no longer a friend because I tried to establish my superiority. I say this not in a bad way, but I am their leader, one insubordination can cost people's lives. They understand that now.

As soon as we parked, we were out with and on our way to where the mass of people was.

-Make way! - Travis yelled when they wouldn't move.

There was a man with a bruised face lying on the floor with a stab wound, a female was putting pressure to the wound next to him. She was crying and talking to the victim. There was another man, he did not look good, he was lying on the floor unresponsive.

-I got the one with the wound, check the other victim for vitals. - I ordered Montgomery. -Hello sir, can you tell me your name? - I asked him while kneeling next to him to assess his condition.

-An...-He tried to articulate but was in so much pain that he could not finish

-Don't you see he is in pain! - The female protested – We have to move him, NOW! – She had a tick accent.

-Ma'am, I have to assess his condition before we transport him. Keep the pressure while I check for spinal injuries- the lady hummed in protest

-He is does not have a spinal injury, I was the one who laid him on the floor so I could put pressure on his wound. He will bleed out if we don't take him to the hospital. I'm a doctor, now hurry up! – If there is one thing that I hate is when people that don't know anything about my job try to boss me around.

-Ma'am, I will transport him as soon as possible. I have to follow a protocol, if you please just shut up and let me do my job so we can get this over with. – the female looked at me in shock. I know I was blunt, but she needs to stop giving me orders and just let me do my job. – Thank you! – I said after a few seconds of silence. – Now, do you know his name? – I asked while I was putting the collar and examining the area where the lady was putting pressure on.

-Andrea De Luca – she answered

-Okay Andrea, we are going to transport you to the hospital now. – I always liked to reassure the victims, let them know that they were taken care of. – Ma'am I want you to move aside when I tell you, we are going to switch positions. – I reached my comm – Montgomery, status? -

-No vitals, he is dead. –

-Then move over here, bring the gurney, we are transporting this one to the hospital-

-Copy-

-Okay Ma'am, are you ready? - She nodded yes, and we switched positions as fast as possible to avoid any more bleeding. – Now I need you to tell me if you are hurt. – said looking at her. She was worried, her eyes teary. -Ma'am

-No, I'm not hurt. Can you please hurry? -she replied abruptly. I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my cool. "She's just having a rough day; someone she loves is injured"

Montgomery was quick with the gurney, we transferred him and loaded him in the truck.

-Already bagged the other victim, station 23 aid car is coming to get the body transported. –

-Okay, let's get him to the hospital then. – I said while putting an oxygen mask over Andrea.

-I'm coming with you, and make sure to take him to Seattle Grace, I work there. – The lady said while hopping in.

-Let's go! – I yelled once the aid car's doors where close.

We know the drill; we are the fastest response team for a reason. We got there in 7 minutes.

-What do we got? - Dr. Hunt, a friend of Warren, received us. He looked surprised when he saw the lady.

-Male, 28, stab wound in right iliac region. He is stable, no other visible wounds or traumas.

-It's Andrea! - the lady hopped off the truck and moved with us by the gurney.

-We got him now Carina. - He said while taking him away. Both of them disappearing behind the Seattle Grace emergency doors.

We went back to the station, grateful that the shift was finally over.

-Are we hitting Joes now? – Travis asked once we were there. 

-You go ahead, I'll catch up with you guys in a few.

After finishing the report for that last call I went home, took a warm shower to relax my muscles and then went off to Joes with the rest of the team. It was around 8:48 when I left my house. I was a bit tired, but I already gave my word so here I go.