The Pig of Providence - The Year of the Forgotten Secrets

Chapter Two (er)

I tossed money on the table and we sprinted out the door. Another moment and our siren was adding to the chorus as we blasted down the streets toward the shop. We could see the strength of the blaze as we rounded the corner. The full first floor was engaged and flames were shooting out the second floor windows as well. The third floor seemed untouched.

I knew that wouldn't last long.

Kayley slammed the brakes on, skidding the car at an angle against the sidewalk. We raced down the street to reach the side of the firetruck. The Chief saw us and nodded his head, then returned his focus to the scene.

I asked, "You find Meiying?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. But they don't have much time. Those herbs and oils are going up like crazy. It's like a gasoline fire in there."

I had a sense that he might be more right than he thought.

Three of his men were managing a large hose and blasting water through a gaping hole in the front wall of glass. The roaring flames seemed almost alive. They were ravenous, and they were searching, searching –

A scream came from the third story window. "Help!"

All eyes went up.

Meiying was there at the window, a wall of flame menacing behind her. Her eyes were wide with panic.

The Chief called, "Get the net!"

His firefighters scrambled into action.

A loud crunching noise shook the building; something within the structure was letting go.

Meiying screamed.

A man shouted, "Grab the rope!"

She turned her head.

There, at the adjacent building, was a fire escape. A man stood on it, maybe a few years older than me, with short, dark hair and a muscular build. He was holding one end of a thick rope and he was swinging the other. I saw it had a loop formed in it.

He swung it out to her.

She caught it.

He yelled, "Put it around your waist. Cinch it tight."

The Chief angrily yelled, "We've got the net! Jump down!"

A staggering blast came from within the shop.

Shards of jagged glass sprayed out in fury, peppering the firefighters and waiting net. The victims flung hands over faces, crying out in pain.

Meiying pulled the rope over her head to her waist. She gave a tight tug to cinch it up.

The man looped the rope around the railing of the fire escape. He braced himself against it. "All right! Jump!"

She stared behind her at the encroaching flames.

She looked down at where the firefighters and EMTs were scrambling to tend to the wounded and clear the glass from the net.

She looked up at the sky for a long, long moment.

She jumped.