Call To Arms (Chicago PD - Fire - MED)

04. Road Safety

After the eventful night, Jekyll and I were both grateful for a run the following morning. We suited up just after six. Dawn struggled against the gloomy sky above and frost held it's grip on the surrounding grasses. I left my hair in a braid, and added a light jacket as I laced my sneakers.

With my keys and phone zipped in my pocket, we set out. Traditionally I would have driven to a nearby park to run on the trails, but with the case in motion I concluded staying in the city would have to do.

I set a mild pace, Jekyll's leash hung loosely as he matched my stride. We continued racing along sidewalks for nearly an hour before I decided to make a pit stop. As some lunatic had driven over my apartment buildings mailbox, I now had to go to the post office twice a week. The workers knew I was a cop, and were lenient with Jekyll as well.

I gave a short wave as I opened the box. A bowl of water was providing for my panting canine and I thanked them as I briefly unclipped him as he had an odd discomfort of drinking with it on. He lapped at the surface as I flipped through the bills and junk mail.

I barely comprehended what was going on before Jekyll was bolting. I made some kind of outcry as I tore after him as he charged past someone holding open the door. My eyes bulged as he lunged head long across the street. My dog was no fool. He knew street safety. I had never seen him not listen to my commands either. The hell was going on?

"Jekyll! No!" I yowled, shoes pounding the pavement as I rocket after him as he wove past people exiting a subway stop. I muttered apologies as I shoved my way through, doing my best to keep him in my sights.

The frig was he heading towards? I wondered as he veered into an alleyway and I plunged after him, but for all my speed he was a determined bastard. I narrowly dodged trash bins through the littered crevice and my gaze narrowed with concentration.

Light shown at the end of the alley, and I put on a final burst of energy. My hand reached for him, my feet carrying me forward at reckless pace. He broke from the alley, streaking across the street accompanied by a chorus of car horns. My legs pumped hard after him, but as soon I left the shaded isle, I was greeted with blinding sunlight and an ominously large red shape rolling towards me.

I was aware of the screeching of brakes as the firetruck lumbered closer, but those things didn't stop on a dime. Thinking fast, I dove further down the lane, feeling the bumper catch my lower lumbar on my way down. A hiss emitted from grit teeth as I clobbered with the cement and the firetruck came to a complete stop, with me now fully beneath the maze of framework underneath.

Right off the bat, the door swung open and there were boots on the ground on either side. I steadied my breathing, mentally doing a check off for damages. My forearm was lightly scraped and my left thigh had taken the brunt of my fall, but nothing appeared broken.

Just as my heart rate had returned to normal levels after the abrupt collision and run prior, someone knelt down and shown a flashlight on me. I blinked and managed to see past the beam towards the young firefighter beyond.

As my gaze took in his warm eyes and mocha skin my formerly calm pulse ricocheted once more. "Are you okay Miss?" He inquired and I nodded, lifting my head and smacking my forehead against something hard.

I wince, rubbing my temples gently. Smooth. As soon as I leave an undercover situation I become a fumbling fool. "All good." I reply, attempting to recover but he holds out his hand in caution.

"Please hold still. You took quite the spill and we should put a collar on you." He spoke and I finally noticed another pair of firemen on the other side with a backboard.

"That's not necessary. Really. No neurological impairments. No gross deformities. No blood, no fowl." I reassure but they will have none of it.

So, my mortification is then complete as they place a neck brace on and manage to shift me onto a backboard and slide me out from under the truck. The good news being, the handsome one had to get under with me to adjust the collar and I got a better examination. The bad news was that I was sweating something awful and had dust smearing my cheeks.