CHAPTER NINE
Three Weeks Before Outbreak
John sat at a desk filling out some paperwork. He signed at the bottom and put it to the side, looking at a framed picture on his desk. It was of him, a woman, and a small boy. He smiled as a knock came at his door. A fireman opened the door and entered the room with another pile of paperwork to be filed.
"Morning, McCallister." John said.
"Mornin', sir." He greeted.
"What you boys getting up to? Busy out there?" John asked.
"Hopefully gonna get some sleep. Spent all of last night responding to calls. Whole lotta people getting sick." He said. John chuckled.
"Get some rest." He said.
"Boys are about to watch a movie after breakfast if you wanna join them." He said.
"Yeah, let me finish this up first." John said.
"Sounds good." McCallister said before leaving his office.
John leaned back, grabbing the paperwork. After he finished up, he joined his guys in the lounge as they were cracking jokes. He opened up a mini fridge and grabbed a soda before sitting down with them.
Shortly into the movie, a siren blared throughout the station. All of the firemen jumped up and hurried into the bay while John paused it. He followed the boys into the bay as they suited up.
Radio chatter began going off, giving them information on the call. John got caught by surprise when they mentioned the address, looking down at his radio with a raised brow.
McCallister grabbed his helmet, looking over at John with concern. John asked them to repeat the address, and when they did he took a deep breath. His hand shook slightly as he clipped the radio to his belt.
"Isn't that your house, boss?" McCallister asked.
Present Day
John woke up to the sound of rain droplets hitting his face. As he opened his eyes, he noticed dark and gloomy clouds looming over the city. He sat upright and turned to Jane, who was still asleep by her small camp. He stood up and walked to her, gently shaking her away.
"Hey, it's about to start coming down hard if you wanna get inside." He said.
She nodded and got up, following him inside and downstairs. They entered an office with some couches and took a load off, watching the storm outside the windows. John pulled a snack from his bag, handing it to Jane. He pulled one out for himself as well.
"So... any new ideas on how to get back?" She asked.
John took a long moment to think it over, looking outside the window as lightning struck in the distance.
"I'm guessing... we're gonna have to take the street." He said, looking to her.
Her eyes widened.
"The street?" Her words trembled.
John nodded, letting out a sigh.
YOU ARE READING
Fire Away
HorrorIn the weeks following a tragic past and the breakout of a nationwide infection, Firefighter John Palmer isolated himself at his place of work. All alone and the streets riddled with the undead, he had a decision to make; to face what was out there...
