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15.How to wake up

The events of last night continued to unfold before my eyes, no matter how hard I tried to focus on something else or simply tell myself that it was none of my business. I left for work early to take care of something, but since then I've managed to reassemble all the hoses about five times, tidy up the shelves in Jupiter about three times and clean out the entire garage. Unfortunately, it didn't help because my mind was still in the cave on the beach. I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen if I was stuck here forever.
My situation wasn't helped by the fact that I still hadn't recovered from last night's sleep. It wasn't just the fear of what Charlie would decide that made it hard for me to swallow. Ben's appearance completely ruined my joy at Penny's words. No matter what I tried to do to get back to sleep, nothing happened. I saw darkness in front of me, behind me, around me. Has Charlie made up his mind? Concerned with the questions that were bothering me, I stopped trying to return to the dream world and left early. Even though I told myself that Ben's appearance could mean many things, my mind subconsciously connected it to the event on the beach. Could this world be able to influence the other one so much?

The sound of someone's footsteps brought me out of my thoughts. I glanced over the hose I was attaching to Jupiter and froze. Penny was on her way to the firestation. I completely forgot she had a shift today. She walked smiling towards the fire station, but the closer she got, the more I moved behind Jupiter. I didn't want to talk to her, not because I didn't wish her happiness, but because we still hadn't spoken since her secret meeting with Ben, and yesterday's walk on the beach only confirmed my belief that this wasn't the Penny I know.
So I was hoping she would just go upstairs to drink some tea as it was her usual habit on the morning shift, but to my surprise, Penny, as soon as she closed her locker door,  started walking towards me. I had great hopes that she was going to approach Venus, but she was stubbornly walking towards Jupiter, and therefore towards me. For a brief moment I hoped she hadn't noticed me, but when she waved at me, I knew there was no turning back. So I waved back to her, but tried my best to keep my attention on Jupiter, although it was extremely difficult when Penny said simply.

"How was your day yesterday?"

"Usually," I replied, shrugging and looking up at her for the only time. "And yours?" Even though all my rational thinking was screaming at me before asking this question, I simply couldn't go against the rules that my mother had so carefully drilled into my head throughout my childhood.

However, she didn't have time to answer when we were interrupted by the sound of Map Screen 700. Without a word, we ran to the office. I overtook Penny on the stairs, so I was the first to realize what was happening. I clicked the button and just as Penny walked in the door, I announced over the loudspeaker.

"There is a fire at the Whole Fish Cafe."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Penny suddenly look strangely pale. I looked at her with concern, and while her eyes remained focused on something in the distance, I placed my hand on her shoulder and squeezed it lightly. She looked at me blankly, taking a deep breath. It was the first time I saw her like this. Even this Penny was always composed and did not give in to sudden emotions.

"Everything's all right?" I asked her caringly.

"Yes..." she hesitated, then added more confidently, her eyes regaining their expression. "Yes".

I went down the stairs with her and repeated the question again when we were at Jupietr's. Penny was still unhealthily pale, but she still repeated the same answer as before. However, as I reached for my uniform, she stopped me by gently placing her hand on my forearm. Even with such a gentle touch, I felt her hand tremble.

"Ben was supposed to help Charlie and Bronwyn move the tanks from the basement, Sam," she said quietly, letting go of my arm. "Gas cylinders".

These two words rang in my ears and a red light immediately flashed in my head. I immediately put on my uniform, seeing Penny doing the same. I hopped into the Jupiter, and as Penny closed the door behind her, I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.

"Everything will turn out fine," I assured her, even though the racing thoughts in my head denied the truth of that statement. "I'm sure," I added once we started moving and Penny visibly calmed down.

I couldn't say why I was so sure, but it was my instinct. I didn't say it out loud when Penny returned the smile I sent her, but I knew well what could have caused this sudden fear. She was afraid for her fiancé, no matter how strange it sounded.

We arrived and I put on my breathing apparatus almost immediately, but I immediately stopped Penny by grabbing her wrist as she tried to do the same.

"Stay, I'll go get them," I said, and was relieved to see Penny obediently put down her breathing apparatus and reach for the control board instead.

I didn't know what came over me as I walked into the Whole Fish Cafe alone, but I knew one thing. No one will be exposed today.
I let that thought guide me as I approached the basement door and was met with a familiar sight. Two gas cylinders were standing against the wall, right next to the door leading to the basement, from behind which, to my confusion, I heard voices.

"Help! We're here!" I recognized Charlie and Ben's voices.

I pressed the handle hard and the lock released. I opened the door and couldn't help but smile when I saw that they were safe and sound. Ben got out first on his own, and then together we helped Charlie up.

"You chose a nice place to hide," I said, patting my brother on the shoulder.

"The fire was up to the flags, Sam. We had a cut off the exit," Charlie explained in his and Ben's defense.

Just when I was about to slowly lead them under the flames, I heard a familiar hissing noise. I turned towards one of the gas cylinders and immediately recognized what I had to do. I pushed Ben and Charlie towards the door and then I bent down and was the last one out. When I almost reached the door, the hissing stopped. Fear paralyzed me for a moment, but this time I didn't want to fall victim anymore. At the moment of the explosion, I regained control of my legs and fell to the floor, covering the back of my head with my hands. I felt warm, but then I spat the water out of my mouth and looked at Penny before I realized I was drifting off.