firefly | zhong chenle

CH17

"it'll be okay. i'm coming"

-

Shortly, they arrived in the neighbourhood. Each firefighter filed off the truck in single file with Chenle in front.

"Everyone listen up" Chenle called once everyone gathered and were lined up in rows "Usual procedures. Check each area with caution and place signs in areas that the council needs to review. We will split into groups. Mark, Haechan. Jeno, Jaemin. Jisung..."

Chenle made eye contact with a Jisung who was grinning from ear to ear. Chenle couldn't bare to look at him, a concoctions of emotions ruining him on the inside.

"Jisung and Arin. Renjun, you're with me" Chenle spoke, a lot quieter and quickly dismissed everyone. He found Renjun, tugging him to the west side of the building before he regrets his decision. Jisung exclaimed in joy, shaking Arin's arm "We get the north area. This isn't all that fun but hey, we can spend the time getting to know each other. There's barely ever been anything we've had to worry about in this area. Come"

Arin nodded, following Jisung "Why did you decide to be a firefighter?"

"I watched a documentary on them and I thought they were so cool so I decided I wanted to be one too. Now that I'm here, it's nothing like the documentaries. We are heroes but we don't feel like heroes, you know? We go through hell and back with training yet half the stuff I get to do is what, stopping screaming people and putting signs up telling people to 'stop playing with fire'" Jisung sighed "Do you have a similar experience with being a doctor?"

"Me? My mother has been ill for years and I wanted to help by being a doctor-"

Before she could finish her words, a younger boy came to her, perhaps 18 or 19.

"Hi! My name is Hajoon. You saved my brother when the building broke down. I haven't had time to thank you" The boy snatched her hand, encasing it in his and shaking it fervently. Arin was a bit taken by surprise, awkwardly smiling in response and clasping her own hand over his out of politeness.

"I'm Arin. And it's okay. It's my duty"

"What about lunch? To thank you. I live around here now so I know all the good spots" Hajoon didn't let go of her hand when she let go of his.

Whilst trying to pry her hand out of his, she awkwardly rejected "I'm actually on duty right now checking up this area so maybe next time". There was a weird glint of disappointment in Hajoon eyes. That was the only word to describe it. Weird.

Thankfully, Jisung pulled her away before Hajoon could keep prying.

"Was it just me or did something feel off with him" Jisung asked, shivering as if they approached their first destination which was the neighbourhoods garage dumb.

"No? I think he was just overly happy because I saved his younger brother" Arin shrugged it off. As they entered the building, Jisung didn't leave Arin's side, walking close to her whilst analysing the walls.

"This seems really old" Jisung muttered, subconsciously tugging on Arin's hand. Arin's first reaction was to pull away, hiding this awkward tension with a laugh.

"Um" Jisung turned to face her "Ill run you through our procedures". A look of hurt flashes across his face when he saw her playing with her fingers after pulling her hand out from his. But Jisung very quickly told himself that this wasn't the setting for them to be holding hands regardless.

"We check if there's any flammable objects, like that" There was a pile of wooden slabs in the corner, positioned right next to an oil tank. "Our job is to remove it and let the people know why that can't be there"

Arin nodded in understanding, walking towards the pile and picking it up. She was unaware of what was actually happening, until she heard an explosion and someone grab her by the shoulders. A small, tiny flame erupted from the oil, that quickly followed the path of oil like a ring of fire. It was an unexpected symphony of destruction, as the once mundane space erupted into a tempest of flames. The fiery tongues danced with malevolence, casting ominous shadows on the walls. Jisung's arm was around her waist, pulling her to safety and shielding her away from the attacking flames.

"We need to get out of here" Jisung's breathing became faster, ushering her towards the exit "Cover your mouth. I'll try and put this out before it gets worse"

Arin nodded, bolting towards the door.

"Jisung it's locked" She banged on the door. Panic began flooding her lungs to strip all oxygen from her. Her fist began frantically smashing at the entrance. When she whipped around to see what on earth Jisung was doing, he seemed to be searching for a fire extinguisher, whilst jamming open the windows.

"Here, pour this on you" Jisung urged, passing her a water bottle. She didn't understand why she needed to do that, but she did as she was told, pouring the entire bottle over herself.

"Call the others. I'll try and find a route up to the window" Jisung said, staring into her eyes to try and reassure her that it'll be fine. But Jisung, being inexperienced and still a trainee, look visibly scared as well.

Arin fumbled with her phone, shakily pressing Chenles phone number whilst tears were almost at the corner of her eyes.

"Chenle. Chenle" She cried, running a hand through her hair to try and compose herself. She worked at a fire station. It was ridiculous that she couldn't handle herself now when she could literally jump into a broken building last time. She felt useless.

"Me and Jisung are stuck inside the garage in the North" Her words were everywhere, her voice choked up in tears and panic "Come get us please"

"Where's Jisung" Chenle asked. From the other end, she could hear Chenle begin to run, the wind messing with his audio.

"He-he's trying to find a way out" Arin shook her head "I don't know"

"Do not lose sight of Jisung. He knows what he's doing. Stick with him. Please" Chenle's voice evidently became more and more concerned, his breaths shallower and losing his usual stern composure

"I will" Arin glanced at Jisung, who seemed to be hammering holes into the wall

"Listen to me carefully Arin" Chenle spoke as Arin closed her eyes, a single tear leaking out from her eyelids.

"Arin"

"Yes...yes. I'm listening" She replied whilst coughing.

"It'll be okay. I'm coming"