desertion

135

LYDIA

The smell of freshly baked dough and bubbling marinara sauce filled the air as I folded another box for a pizza delivery. The pizzeria was bustling, as usual, families filling the booths, and the sound of laughter and chatter mixed with the faint clinking of silverware on plates. My shift had started smoothly, and I was grateful for the easy pace.

"Lydia, can you grab table five's order?" Delilah called out, balancing a tray of drinks as she moved toward a family in the corner.

"On it!" I called back, heading to the kitchen. The warmth of the ovens hit me as I grabbed the pizza box marked with a handwritten "Table 5," the steam wafting out as I carried it back to the front.

The customers were happy, tips were decent, and the atmosphere felt light. I loved working with my friends-it made the long hours fly by. Miles was out on his break, and Tyler was cracking jokes with Delilah as they worked the counter. Everything felt...normal.

That was until the news broke in on the TV.

It started with a breaking news banner flashing across the screen above the counter. I didn't think much of it at first-I was too busy wiping down tables. But when the reporter started speaking, my attention snapped to the screen.

"This just in: a major bridge collapse has occurred downtown, causing severe damage and trapping vehicles and pedestrians. Emergency crews are on the scene now. Stay tuned for more updates."

I froze. My heart dropped as they switched to live footage of the scene.

The camera zoomed in on the chaos-the bridge twisted and broken, cars dangling off the edge, and rescue crews working frantically to save people. My chest tightened when I saw the fire trucks, their lights flashing against the wreckage.

Then I saw it. Engine 118.

My mouth went dry as my hands automatically reached for the strings of my apron, twisting them nervously. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

"Jesus," I whispered under my breath. My knees felt weak, and I stumbled toward an empty table, sinking into a chair. My leg started bouncing uncontrollably, a nervous tick I couldn't stop.

"They're saying a fire station fell with the bridge," someone murmured nearby.

I clenched my jaw, my focus locked on the screen as I prayed it wasn't true. Part of me wished Miles was here. He had a way of calming me down when my thoughts spiraled, but he wasn't.

********

When the reporter announced that the crew was being transported to a nearby hospital, I shot up from the chair. My hands fumbled with the strings of my apron, untying it as I rushed to the back.

"Lydia!" Delilah called after me. "Where are you going?"

"I've gotta go," I said, breathless as I grabbed my keys from my locker. I didn't even wait for her response before sprinting out the door.

Once I was in my car, I pulled out my phone and opened Dad's location. My heart leapt when the blue dot finally appeared, pinging a hospital not too far from here.

"Hang on, Dad," I muttered as I pulled out of the parking lot.

********

The hospital was chaotic when I arrived. Reporters were stationed outside, trying to get a statement, and the lobby was filled with people. I spotted Athena near the front desk and rushed over to her.

"Athena!" I called out, my voice shaking.

She turned, her usual serious expression softening when she saw me. "Lydia."

"How are they? My dad, Buck, all of them-how are they?"

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "They're okay. Your dad has a few broken ribs, Buck has some lacerations, Chimney was stabbed by a gurney, and Bobby was pinned under rubble. But they're all going to be fine."

My body sagged with relief as the tension drained out of me. "Thank God," I breathed, running a hand through my hair.

Before I could say more, Buck appeared, helping my dad walk out from the back.

"Dad!" I ran to them, my eyes scanning both of them for injuries.

"Hey, Mija," Dad said, his voice weak but still steady.

I immediately went into lecture mode, my voice rising. "How many times are you guys going to try and give me a heart attack?"

Buck grinned, his face streaked with dirt but his tone light. "We're fine, Lyds. We'll be okay."

I narrowed my eyes at him, my arms crossing. "The next person who scares me like this is going in a ditch, I swear."

Buck chuckled, ruffling my hair. "We'll try our best not to."

I rolled my eyes, but a small laugh escaped me. I was just glad everyone was okay. As much as they drove me crazy with their dangerous jobs, they always came back. And for now, that was enough.