His Resting Place

Chapter 4

Going down on all fours he carefully went down the stairs backwards dragging his cane with him. He almost lost his balance a few times and then he lost it and the end of the stairs. He rolled a short distance and laid completely still groaning. He was not sure how much time passed but he when he opened his eyes he realized that he had dozed off. The sun was towards the west confirming that it was evening time.

He rolled to one side and used his frail hands to raise himself up. Then dragging himself he grabbed his cane and slowly rose from the ground. His foot and hands bared a few cuts, minor compared to the fact that it could be worst. He dusted himself and painstakingly stumbled towards the tunnel, or as he liked to call it - 'The Unforgettable Track of Doom'.

He stood in front the dark tunnel. Standing on the tracks slouching on his cane. The area was not lush and green anymore. The tracks were rusting, broken. He stooped down to pick up the broken pieces of track and realized he couldn't get back up so he decided to sit down instead.

Tears welled up in his eyes, the pain this track once caused in his life. The pain it was still causing. He rubbed the pieces in his hand as he stared deep into the dark tunnel as the images played over in his mind like it was just yesterday.

"Good morning hunnie," Maria Rodriguez said to her husband in the phone.
"Hey morning. How was the night?" he asked.
"It was marvelous. I only wish you were here with us," she sighed.
"Me too dear. But you know work is pretty hectic this time of year."

Every dry season the fire officers amp up their game. There is round the clock shifts and maximum amount of fire officers at any given time. They work hand in hand with police officers and the forrestry division to ensure a safe neighbourhood.

"I know. I can't wait to see you. The grandkids miss you," she said.
"I miss them too. You want me to pick you all up from the train station."
"It's okay. We'll manage. Just be safe and we'll see you tonight."
"Okay dear. You all be safe as well. Tell everyone I said morning and that I love them."
"We love you too!" the family shouted.
"Good morning guys. See you later."

The alarm went off in the fire station alerting Marco and the crews.
"Station 17. Truck 15. Burning vehicle. Conrad Drive." The crew bundled into the truck and took off. The entire day consisted of many code reds. There was the burning tree on sixth street, the fire on the second story of a pizza restaurant and the occassionally cat in a tree rescue mission. The fire station alert boards were lighting up like a christmas tree. Marco had returned back at the station that evening eager to see his family. His shift was almost over.

"Station 17. All units requested. Code red. Train collison. Tunnel Westwind."