The Other Queen - Book 5 (Riverdale Season 5)

Fire in the Sky - Part 2

 Aminity worked in the El Royale's office, hooking up the connection to the 911 operating system as the cadets practiced in the gym.

"Cadet Burns, when O2 rapidly enters an oxygen depleted environment causing an explosion, what is that phenomenon called?" Bernardo Bixby asked one of the teens who had volunteered from the Riverdale RROTC program.

"A backdraft, sir!"

"Correct. Your reward is thirty more push ups. Next question-"

"You guys the fire department?" a man asked as he rushed in.

"Trying to be," Archie nodded.

"The pool hall's burning down."

"What, right here on the alley?" The man nodded. "Let's move!" They all sprang into action, running outside before stopping as the glass windows shattered and the fire spread.

"We got eyes on a connection, right there," Eric pointed.

"Get the hose hooked up," Bernardo ordered. "Arch, you get everyone back."

"Earl's in there!" the man told them. "My friend Earl is still inside!"

"Sarge, don't even think about it."

"Archie, no," Aminity said at the same time as Eric, both seeing the look in his eye. Archie didn't listen, taking off running into the building as they all called after him.

"Get the hose," Bernardo kept them moving and the teens hesitantly listened.

"Screw this," Sweet Pea let out before running after Archie.

"Pea!" She tried to run after him, but Eric caught her. "Let go!"

"You can't go inside with them!" he grunted as she tried to pull away from him. "Aminity, listen to me! The best thing we can do is get that fire out." Her chest heaved as she looked up at him before nodding.

"I'll call an ambulance." He nodded and let go, going to help the teens. A moment later, Archie and Sweet Pea walked as fast as they could out of the building, Earl's limp arms slung over their shoulders. "Is he breathing?" she called as she ran over, phone still against her ear as she relayed information to the nurse on the other end. Archie nodded as he coughed, sitting on the ground as soon as they had gotten Earl down.

"Are you okay?" she glanced up at the two men who were coughing.

"Doing great, Princess," Sweet Pea managed to get out as Archie gave a thumbs up.

***

Eric sat beside Archie's bed in the hospital. "What did Bernardo say, Sarge? Rule number one, don't run into a burning building alone."

"You never were good at following instructions," Aminity said as she sat next to Sweet Pea's bed, her hand in his. He shrugged and gave her a smile.

"You're never going to let me live this down, are you?" Archie asked Eric.

"No, sir."

"The good news is you're both okay and you managed to save that man's life," Keller told them.

"Do we know what started the fire yet?"

"No. I mean, it's an old building. It wasn't up to code. Still, it's hard not to think it was-"

"Arson. Again," Aminity said and Keller sighed.

"Probably started by Hiram Lodge," Archie added and she nodded.

"Wait, who's Hiram Lodge?"

Aminity scoffed and muttered, "Oh, I forget what it's like to not be from Riverdale."