My Son's Father

My Son's Father Chapter 3

Romano’s POV---

I remember turning on the television and flipping through the channels. I final decided on the news and immediately became horrified. I saw a building on fire: the same building where Emily and I work. My eyes widened as I listened to what the reporter said, hoping everyone was okay.

“Today, at approximately 7:45 pm the Partridge Farms Newspaper Company building caught fire and is still blazing. The fire started in the basement and worked its way up to the higher floors gradually, only just reaching the fourth and fifth floors. Fortunately, almost everyone escaped unharmed or with minor injuries from the third floor down, however there are still many trapped in the fourth and fifth floors. This is Celia Bev-” I clicked the television off angrily and threw the remote into the wall. I think it broke, but I didn’t care. I was just focused on answering to the alarm that went off in my house, meaning the fire station needed me. I was already half-dressed.

“Chief, how long is it going to take to get there?” I asked anxiously. Chief Noland must have been confused as to why I was so antsy, but I was focused on one thing: making sure that Emily and Benny got out safe.

“About two minutes, Romano. Why are you so nervous?” he asked as we rounded the corner.

“The two people I love most are in that building. I work there, remember?” I clenched my fists at how slowly it was taking us to get to the fire. Finally, we arrived. I saw many other firefighters from other districts there, helping out. This had to be the worst fire our county had seen in over 100 years.

“Alright, boys. Go in, take any survivors, and get out. Do you hear me?” Chief Noland commanded.

“Yes sir!”

Emily’s POV---

I ran and ran with Benny in my arms, hoping that somehow we’d all get out safely. I made him put the collar of his shirt over his mouth and nose to keep him from breathing in smoke, as I did the same. Everyone was screaming, panicking, and running towards the staircase, because our elevator wasn’t working. The few fire escapes we had on our floor were occupied and some fell from the immense weight. I tried to shield Benny with all my might, pressing him deep into my chest and trying to get through the throng of people. I then spotted Margaret lying on the floor underneath a beam.

“Margaret!” I screamed, running over to help her. She didn’t seem very hurt, thankfully. I just think she was in shock. “Come on! We have to get out of here!” I helped her stand up and we ran for whatever exit we could, only to find them all blocked by fallen beams or people. I could feel wetness in my shirt from Benny’s tears as I kept trying to assure him that we’d all be fine somehow. Where were the firefighters? Shouldn’t they be here by now? I kept thinking this over and over when I realized that they’d have to clear out the other floors first. If it was bad on the fifth floor, then the first to third floors must’ve been ash by then. It was a miracle that the building hadn’t collapsed by that time.

“Emily, I found an opening!” I heard Margaret shout. She was standing by the elevator.

“The elevators stopped working when the power went out. We can’t use them.” I was confused. She was still smiling like an idiot before I realized something else. The doors had been pried open, and the elevator wasn’t even on our floor. It must’ve fallen to the basement because it looked like the cable broke.

“No, we can climb down the shaft! There’s an emergency ladder in the shaft in case anyone gets stuck inside!” I nearly kissed her when I heard this. There was a chance Benny and I could live! Just before we climbed down, we shouted to everyone to follow our lead. My office was full of smart people, so I figured they’d all manage to get down on their own. With Benny clinging to my back and Margaret below me, I climbed as quickly and carefully as I could. When we got closer to the bottom, we could see the smashed elevator and cable on the basement level, where nobody ever went (Nobody needed to. It was mainly for storage). We figured if we could somehow pry open the first floor elevator door then we could run through there and escape through the doors if they were still standing.