Lethal Obsession

Typical Wednesday

[Halston's POV]

The deafening cries start. A petite voice pleas, "HELLLLPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!! HELLLLPPPPPPPP!!!!" I start making my way through the wreckage but I can't seem to find anyone. The dark abyss engulfs me as ash floats down like little particles of snow. With specs of embers acting as stars in the midnight sky, I finally see a little girl on all fours crying out to me and begging me to be her savior. As I make my way over to the child, I see a woman and man trapped in a dismantled vehicle. The man is knocked unconscious in the driver seat and bleeding profusely from his forehead. I pry the door open on the passenger side to save the dazed woman but the seat belt restraints are preventing me from releasing her. Flames begin to swallow the vehicle in their mouth of eternal madness. The flash is so bright that I am nearly blinded! Suddenly, everything goes dark.....

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP....BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.....

Feeling hazy, I try to open my heavy eyelids. They feel like boulders being weighed down to my cheekbones. When I come to, I am in my bed and realize it was just a dream and one that is all too familiar. I glance over at my antique nightstand and see a photo of my mom and dad. I close my eyes again and sigh heavily. I roll out of bed, throw on my uniform and grab my duffel bag. Heading out the door, I take one last look back towards my bedroom at the picture and wipe a lingering tear from my eye. Time for work.

Today starts the first day of my two-day tour. When I arrive at the station, I go up to the living quarters, make my bed and square away my locker. I go down to the apparatus bay and put my gear on the truck. Here, at Santa Mira Fire Department Station 2, we run an engine and tiller truck company, cross staff a heavy rescue, always followed by one battalion chief. I am a twenty-five year old firefighter on Truck 2. On the truck, we handle rescue situations for vehicle accidents, back up the engine on medical aides, and search and rescue on fires.

I have busted my ass to get into this position. I love it and wouldn't give it up for anything or anyone.

As I head through the apparatus bay, I feel a tug on my long, blonde ponytail. I whip around to see who it is, encountering a nudge to my right arm. A familiar masculine voice yells into my ear. "There she is!!!!! Halston, is that any way to greet the dopest guy ever?!?!" Of course it had to be Chris.

Christian Stratford is a twenty-eight year old engineer on the engine at Station 5 and my best friend. His sandy brown hair and blue eyes only give way to his statuesque physique. I have never thought of him in any other sense than a friend but I know plenty of other girls who have swooned and failed miserably. His many, many sexual escapades have given him a huge ego. I still love him like a brother even though he is a man whore.

I can't help but smirk. "What the hell are you doing here Chris?!"

"We stopped in to get extra hose and medical supplies." He comes closer and starts pinching my cheeks. "And to come see your precious face! Is that too much to ask?"

I push his hands off of my sore face and shake my head. "I'm so not gonna boost your ego right now, Chris!"

"Are we still going out Saturday night? I need to find some hot ass to bring home. Trust me, you could do well with some yourself!" Christian can't help but smile mischievously and laugh at his own joke directed at me. Dick! Yes, he is well aware that I haven't had sex in a couple of years. But who's counting, right? I mean it's okay to be celibate! I'm busy with other things in life and maybe I'm just a tad bit picky! I don't think about sex all day like Chris!

I shake my head at his honesty. "I don't know Chris, I have a lot to catch up on and I have to go to the cemetery." He looks down in sorrow and brings me in for a sympathetic hug. My heart sinks into my stomach but I know I need to get out after the cemetery. If anything, to take my mind off of all the pain I'm hiding deep within me. I take in a deep breath and shake off my miserable state. "We'll still go out after I get home and get ready. I promise!"