Fire Away

Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX

John fastened some rope through his pants since the only harnesses they had were down in the bay. He was completely suited up besides his mask, which was hooked to his work belt.

He tied a clip onto the rope and gave it a tug as he nodded his head. He adjusted the tank on his back and slung his rifle over his shoulder before reaching for his axe. He strapped it to his back beside the oxygen tank.

He clipped his radio to his chest and pocketed the flare gun. He stood up the small ladder he pulled from downstairs and gave it a shake. It wasn't very sturdy but it would work.

He picked up his last item, a small emergency pack with some MREs, water, and a small med kit. He strapped it diagonally over his chest and looked up at the power line. He grabbed hold of the ladder and climbed up. He gave one last look at the other rooftop and shook his head.

"This is the dumbest thing you've ever done." He said to himself.

John climbed atop the last step and was still a foot or two short. He took a deep breath and jumped, grabbing ahold of the power lines. He used his strength to clip his makeshift harness to it and wrapped his legs over in a cross. He tried to control his breathing as he got a good grip on the wire.

"Easy does it, John. You've done this before. Don't look down." He muttered to himself as he ascended off of the rooftop, hanging over the streets below.

He slowly inched himself forward, moving the clip as he went. The power line he was on didn't directly go to his destination, but to the building beside it. From there, he'd have to cross again.

He held on tightly as he pulled himself across, keeping himself steady. As he made it about half way, his rifle begin to slip down his shoulder, and fell with the strap snagging his elbow. He let out a grunt as the weight pulled his arm down. He let go of the power line briefly to try and grab it but he slipped further.

He grabbed hold again, trying to yank it back onto his shoulder but it was too heavy. He moved on, trying to keep his rifle upright as he uncomfortably made it across. He looked down at the rooftop below.

This one was about fifteen feet under him and he didn't have the ladder. He had no other choice but to unclip and hope for the best. He took a deep breath as he prepped himself and unhooked the latch. He landed with a thud, rolling slightly and saving himself any injury.

He took a look around, one building closer to his missing friend. He looked back at his fire station and chuckled in disbelief.

Go across, get them, then go back to the station. Only three more trips, he thought.

He made his way over to the next power line, this one just as high as the other. It was conveniently right above a big air conditioning unit. He climbed on top and could barely reach it on his tippy toes. He jumped for it and barely grabbed on, hurrying to latch his clip to the cable.

As he clipped it on, his body weight snapped the cable and pulled him down. John's body slammed against the AC unit as he rolled off onto the cement. Completely unconscious, the wire pulled him over the ledge and off of the roof.

A few weeks earlier

John grunted as he lifted a barbell off his chest, pumping iron. Jump in the Fire by Metallica blared from a speaker as he pushed out reps, sweating profusely. He let out a heavy grunt as he set the bar down and sat up. He took a sip of water as he clicked off the speaker, hearing static come from another room.