Fire Away

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

Three Weeks Before Outbreak

Sirens blared as a fire engine sped down the suburban street. Smoke rose from behind trees as John sat in the drivers seat, trying to see what was happening. McCallister rode shotgun, keeping an eye on him.

"We'll get there, boss. Just like any other day, I'm sure they're fine." He said.

John ignored him as he put the pedal to the metal, followed by multiple fire engines and an ambulance. As he pulled around the corner, they saw a house engulfed in flames as it began spreading to the house beside it. A fire truck was already on the scene and hooked up to the hydrant as they pulled up.

He pulled the parking brake and got out quickly, putting his mask on. While the rest of the crew began setting up, John abandoned them and ran towards the house.

"Hey, Palmer! Stay back, we don't have this under control yet!" One of the firemen shouted.

John stopped on his porch, looking up at the burning house. He used his halligan bar to pry open the door, stepping inside as the heat became overwhelming.

"Louise! Thomas!" He shouted.

He pushed through the fire, searching every corner of his home. He came up on the stairs as they creaked and whined, about to collapse. He made his way up and down the hall, opening all the doors. He opened the bathroom door to find his wife and son sitting still as smoke filled the room. He grunted in desperation as he threw his wife over his back and picked up his son, marching through the burning house.

John carried them downstairs, stumbling through the flames as his fire jacket ignited. He rushed outside and away from the house, his pants and sleeves on fire as the firefighters sprayed water at the engulfed house. Paramedics and his chief ran to him as he fell to his knees, putting his family down on the ground.

He pulled his helmet off, revealing his face covered in ash and black tar. His firemen rushed to his aide, quickly patting out the fire on his clothes as he looked down at his unconscious family. He began going to work, checking for a pulse.

"I need an EMT now!" He cried.

Two paramedics quickly kneeled beside him and went to work trying to bring them back. John sat in shock. He wanted to help, but all he could do was watch the paramedics give CPR.

"Sir, I need you to come with me." One of the paramedics said.

"You gotta— bring them back. You bring them back..." He trailed off.

"We'll do everything we can, sir— we need to treat you. You got burns and possible smoke inhalation." She said.

John looked back at his family as tears fell down his cheeks, absorbing the black tar that covered his face. He faltered in pace as the paramedic put her hand on his shoulder and he collapsed onto his knees.

"I can't–leave them. You need to, oh Jesus Christ..." He muttered.

"We'll do everything we can, sir. You need to come to the ambulance. You're all going to H.M.H, alright? I need you to try and take a deep breath while I run some tests, can you do that?" She asked.