According to his memory

Chapter 12

CJ Flint

The man who had tackled me to the ground at the bank had followed me all the way to the apartment. He saw the fire behind the door before I had, just like at the bank my mind was too occupied to comprehend the danger. I ignore his warnings and all the people who live around me swarm to the sidewalk down below. He threw me over his shoulder that was painted red and black that had turned into a blur against my struggles to get free. 

"Stay" He snarled in a demanding way that planted my own feet to the ground against my will. Tears burned like acid in my eyes. 

The man's hair was pulled into a purple man bun on top of his head with the original dark brown color that was shaved down. He steadied himself against my door before using his body force to break down the door. His bold features twisted in determination before disappearing into the wave of smoke that fell into the hallway like a tsunami. He didn't have any gear on this time which made me think only for a split second for his protection. 

It felt like an eternity standing helplessly in the hallway not being able to do anything but watch as the smoke came to me like music luring a cobra. I forced my feet to move closer to the entrance of our apartment where I can see the outline of two figures. Relief washes over me while I run back to the spot where the man had set me. A single dark figure exited my apartment in make-shift fire gear, a sack on his back that attached to a nozzle that rested in the figure's hand. He pulled and released a liquid that made the fire grow in a sudden blaze. I ducked in order to protect myself from the blinding  light and heat that erupted. 

The figure was gone. The scar on my back itched in an queasy and unsettling emotion that made me want to cry. It had to be my father.

The air in my lungs left me at the exact moment that I was lifted again off my feet. I look around as we enter the stair way that is swarmed still with people trying to get out. The man quickly got down the stairs making my stomach hurt where it met with his shoulder.  My attention is taken by brown hair of my younger sister who is on the man's other shoulder. Her hair was half curled and face covered in soot. I saw her try to move, but I reached over to calm her. 

"Put me down." I hit his back once we are outside. He did in a way that I would consider dropping. Sirens were blaring on the sidewalks. A single firetruck putting the fire that erupted from above. Ambulances still driving up to take care of anyone who needed it. He still held Cheyenne until she was safely inside on ambulance. I recognized the number that I memorized in case anything bad happened, it was Cheyenne's ambulance.

"Scott, we have a..." The man started.

"Gracie." The man called Scott said under brown hair far too long. Using a name that referred to her middle name: Grace.

"How do you know her?" I ask frantically in a voice that was close to a growl out of unknowingness of what to do. 

"I'm her partner, you must be Charlotte, CJ." His blue eyes showed kindness. I nod and try to climb into the back with him so I could ride to the hospital with Cheyenne.

"Not so fast, Lottie.' The man said with his hand around my arm. "Scott, take the girl to the hospital. I'll bring her sister later. She escaped my crime scene." 

"Alright, Vince, but be nice." He replied with a warning look on his face,

I jerk my arm from the man who had been tormenting me, "Let go."

"No" He sternly retorts.

"Vodka!" I hear a familiar voice call out. My head snaps to see Mike running towards us with his eyes locked on Vince's hand that was firmly gripped on my arm.

"Who is this?" Mike asked while bulking his chest out so he looked bigger. More time had passed than I thought and the sun had started to set on the 137 day of being in the bug city. The last place we had been in was 311 days until he found us. 

"I'm the guy who just saved her life. Twice. Who are you?"  Vince protested while tugging me away from Mike instinctively.

"I'm her boyfriend."