Tares City

56. Another Problem Brewing

NAOMI REID 

Exiting the ambulance, Naomi's eyes widen at the scene before them. What looked to be a setup for a beautiful wedding was now engulfed in flames - Panicked screams and cries filling the air. Smoke rose above the trees and white tents as the fires engulfed everything in its path.

"HEY, hey what happened?" Their Chief asks, grabbing the woman who ran straight into him - Her skin covered in burns and ash.

"They attacked us!" She cried hysterically before breaking into a coughing fit. "They didn't want Diane to go through with the wedding!" She says before doubling over.

"Alright, listen. Our paramedics will take good care of you." Their Chief begins, passing the woman to them. "Squad, search and rescue under the tents. Truck, search the other half."

" Got it. Truck, on me!" Josh shouts.

"Medics set up triage!" Their Chief continues to order. 

"Guys! Incoming!" Hose shouts to them getting their attention. Naomi turns to see him and Geo bringing an unconscious victim their way.

"Okay, put him here!" Naomi instructs, her and Avery getting to work immediately. "Third-degree burns on this one, we need to move fast." She comments as they treat him. 

"Pat! Patrick!" A voice shrieks from behind, a woman in a now tarnished wedding dress running toward them. 

"Patrick! Oh God! Is he going to be okay?" She rushes out in hysterics. 

"His injuries are serious, we have to get him to the hospital right away," Naomi informs as she and Avery ready the stretcher. "You can ride with us, come on."

"I was a fool to think they wouldn't stoop this low," The woman mutters under her breath as she grabs onto her unconscious husband's hand. 

~

Throughout the rest of their shift, Naomi and Avery find themselves thrown into six more Lycan-related situations. Narrowly avoiding getting ripped to shreds by a drugged-up Lycan teen on one of their route. 

"Gosh, today was exhausting!" Avery says with a groan as they walk out of the firehouse.

"Tell me about it! This city never calms down," Naomi replies. "It's crazy how Tares has changed over the months. Everything just multiplied tenfold. The Lycans, the hunters, this drug going around. I'm frightened to think where all this would lead. When it'll all come to a head." 

"Yeah, I hear you. Things are getting worse instead of better." Avery sighs.

"And there's nothing we can do about it."

"Except brace it one day at a time."

"With no end in sight," Naomi replies with a heavy sigh. 

"There must be an end to the madness," Avery comments in return, Naomi shrugging in response. 

"Are we still on for later? Jensen still coming?" Avery asks, changing the topic of their conversation. 

"Oh, yeah! Definitely!"

"Hey, Reid," Josh calls out as he approaches them. "Can I talk to you for a minute," He says to her, the question sounding more like a statement as he walks in the direction of his office - Expecting her to follow. 

Looking at Avery, the two shrug at each other before she heads over to Josh's office space. 

"Come in, you could close the door," He says pulling his chair from the desk and taking a seat. Naomi does as told, taking a tentative seat at the edge of the bed opposite him as he gestured.