9-1-1 ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ sʜᴏᴛs

Car crash - Eddie Diaz

Quinn Diaz - 12

Eddie Diaz was halfway through his shift at Station 118, busy checking the maintenance logs for the fire engine, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a text from Carla, his son Christopher's caregiver and occasional babysitter for his 12-year-old daughter, Quinn.

"Picking up Quinn from school now. All good!" the text read.

Eddie smiled, reassured. Quinn had been nervous about her math test that day, and Carla's presence always had a calming effect on her. Eddie felt grateful for Carla's help, especially on days like this when he had a long shift ahead.

The station's alarm bell sounded, and Eddie's heart instinctively quickened. Bobby, their captain, called out the details as they all suited up.

"Multiple vehicle accident on Sunset and La Brea. Reports of at least two people trapped. Let's move!"

Eddie and the rest of the 118 team climbed into the truck, the sirens blaring as they sped through the streets. As they approached the scene, Eddie's stomach dropped. The crumpled cars, shattered glass, and the chaotic scene was all too familiar. His eyes scanned the wreckage instinctively, and he felt a chill when he saw a silver sedan with a familiar bumper sticker.

"God, no," Eddie whispered, recognizing the car. It was Carla's.

The team jumped into action. Bobby, Hen, and Chimney moved efficiently towards the most critical areas, while Eddie's focus was singular. He sprinted to the silver sedan. Carla was in the driver's seat, conscious but dazed, a cut above her eyebrow bleeding slightly.

"Carla!" Eddie shouted, pulling open her door. "Are you okay?"

"Eddie..." Carla groaned, wincing. "I'm fine... but Quinn... she's trapped."

Eddie's heart stopped. He looked to the backseat, where Quinn was pinned, her eyes wide with fear.

"Daddy!" she cried, her voice shaky. "I'm stuck! I can't move!" She was weak and her voice was quiet.

"It's okay, mija. I'm here. We're going to get you out," Eddie said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the rising panic.

Bobby joined him, assessing the situation. "We need the Jaws of Life," he said quickly. "Hen, Chimney, let's stabilize the car first."

Eddie worked alongside them, his training kicking in even as his heart pounded in his chest. They secured the car to prevent any further movement and carefully began to pry open the twisted metal.

"Hang in there, Quinn. Just a little longer," Eddie said, his voice as calm as he could manage.

Quinn nodded, tears streaming down her face. "It hurts, Dad. I feel tired."

"I know, sweetheart. I know. Just keep talking to me, okay? What did you do in school today?"

"I... I had my math test. I think I did okay..."

"You always do great," Eddie assured her, his eyes never leaving hers as they worked.

Finally, the door gave way. Hen and Chimney carefully pulled it back, and Eddie reached in to gently but swiftly extract Quinn from the wreckage onto a backboard. Her leg was pinned, and as they freed her, she cried out in pain.

"I've got you, Quinn. I've got you," Eddie murmured, lifting her out and carrying her to a waiting stretcher.

But as they laid her down, Quinn's eyes fluttered, and her breathing became shallow. Panic seized Eddie as her breaths grew more labored and then stopped altogether.

"No! Quinn, stay with me!" Eddie shouted, his voice breaking.

Hen was already at Quinn's side, beginning CPR. "Eddie, step back," she ordered, her voice firm but compassionate.

Eddie felt Chimney's hand on his shoulder, guiding him away. "She's in good hands, Eddie. Let them work."

The seconds felt like hours as Hen and Chimney worked to revive Quinn. Eddie's mind was a whirlwind of memories—Quinn's first steps, her laughter, the way she always ran to him when he came home from a shift.

"Come on, Quinn," Hen muttered, performing chest compressions. "Come on, sweetheart."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Quinn gasped, her chest rising as she drew in a breath. Eddie let out a sob of relief, rushing back to her side.

"Quinn, can you hear me?" Hen asked, checking her vitals.

Quinn nodded weakly, tears in her eyes. "Daddy..."

"I'm here, Quinn. I'm right here," Eddie said, holding her hand tightly. "You're going to be okay."

The paramedics prepared Quinn for transport to the hospital, and Eddie climbed into the ambulance with her, refusing to let go of her hand. Bobby had given him the nod, understanding that nothing was more important right now than being with his daughter.

As they sped towards the hospital, Eddie kept talking to Quinn, reassuring her with every word. "You're so brave, Quinn. Just a little longer, and we'll be at the hospital. They're going to take great care of you."

"Dad, I'm scared," Quinn whispered.

"I know, sweetheart. But you're not alone. I'm right here with you."

The ambulance pulled up to the emergency entrance, and the medical team took over, rushing Quinn inside. Eddie stayed by her side as long as he could, only stepping back when the doctors and nurses needed to do their work.

He paced the waiting room, his mind racing with worry. Carla had been taken to another part of the hospital for treatment, and he knew she would be okay, but his focus was on Quinn.

Minutes felt like hours as he waited for news. Finally, a doctor approached, and Eddie's heart leapt into his throat.

"Mr. Diaz?"

"Yes, that's me," Eddie said, stepping forward. "How is she?"

"She's stable," the doctor said with a reassuring smile. "We've treated her injuries, and she's resting now. She's a strong girl."

Eddie let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Can I see her?"

"Of course. Right this way."

Eddie followed the doctor to Quinn's room. She lay in the hospital bed, looking small and fragile, but when she saw him, she smiled weakly.

"Dad..."

"Hey, kiddo," Eddie said softly, sitting by her bed and taking her hand. "You gave us quite a scare."

"I'm sorry," Quinn whispered.

"No, don't be sorry," Eddie said, tears filling his eyes. "You were so brave. I'm so proud of you."

Quinn squeezed his hand. "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Quinn. More than anything."

As Eddie sat there, holding his daughter's hand, he realized just how close he had come to losing her. The thought was unbearable, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the fact that she was here, alive, and on the road to recovery. He silently vowed to never take a single moment with his children for granted ever again.