Fire Away

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

A few weeks earlier

Just days after the infection went viral, John found himself in the bay of the station cleaning one of the trucks. Sweat dripped down his face with a look of defeat. He kneeled down, wiping the tires as another fireman approached him from behind.

"McCallister left." He said.

John stopped wiping and put his head down for a moment before turning to face the older man.

"Guess it's just you and me, Chief..." John said.

"He's a damn coward. People who actually need our help won't be able to get it soon enough." He said.

"He say anything?" John asked. The Chief reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled note, handing it to John.

"Just left this. My guess is he packed during the night before A shift got up. What's left of them, anyway." He said.

John took a quick look at the goodbye note before handing it back.

"What's left is me." John said. The Chief nodded, letting out a sigh.

"Thank you, truly. I know you shouldn't even be working right now after everything... I..." He trailed off.

"I got nothing better to do, right? The dead are rising? Why not clock in for a bit." John said. The chief chuckled.

"This is a big city, Palmer. If folks were rising from the grave, I think we woulda seen them by now." He said.

"Don't believe the news?" He asked.

"I didn't see anything when I ran home yesterday. I believe what I see. You should too." He said.

"So, you're staying?" John asked. The Chief nodded.

"Ain't gonna leave you all alone here. Besides, world needs firemen. Even if it's ending. What you're doing here is noticed. Thank you." The Chief said, looking around the bay.

"Don't mention it. What do you want to do about dinner?" John asked.

"Already put some steaks on. Should be ready by the time you're finished up here. After we eat, we're gonna have to make a game plan." He said.

"Sure." John said.

"Alright, Palmer." The Chief pat him on the shoulder and headed upstairs to the kitchen.

John let out a slight sigh as he went back to cleaning.

Present Day

About a week had passed since John had made contact with the mystery person, and not much else had changed. He wanted to find a way to get to them, but it didn't look good. His rifle and axe were no match for the thousands of infected that blocked any way for him to get there and the rooftops were too far apart.

They had spent that week watching each other. They took turns with their flares, hoping to signal anyone else. As the sun began to set, John couldn't help but notice they were running out of supplies. He had multiple fires going and more than enough flares.