Chained Puppet

The Fire

Opening his eyes, he saw a dense black fog around him.

The room was lit strangely and his lungs burned.

He felt light and he couldn't breathe, coughing badly as he laid practically paralyzed. His head hurt like hell and something caked his head. A liquid of some sort.

Nothing really went around in his head but he did realize that what was surrounding him wasn't actually black fog but smoke and it was filling up the room he was in. It was getting hotter and hotter and that's when he understood

The room he was in was on fire.

He didn't really have time, though, to panic. Didn't have time to wonder.

'What's happening? Where am I'?

Then a bigger question hit him.

'Who am I?'

He heard banging on the door and he tried coughing out something but it was too much for him.

He felt himself slipping.

He barely heard someone yelling and trying to pick him up.

Then he passed out.

Jackie had heard of a fire nearby that started in an apartment building downtown. Being as quick as he was, he managed to get there right on time with the fire department to help evacuate the building.

The fire was growing large but they would be able to put it out. It seemed to start in one of the rooms but a firefighter went in to save whoever was inside. He didn't see who it was or what they looked like but he did hear they were injured pretty badly and had to take them to the hospital.

After evacuating the building, the firefighters were finishing up putting out the flames. Luckily it hadn't been burning too long before one of the other residents called for help.

'I wonder what happened' Jackie had always been curious and was sympathetic for whoever lived in that apartment. And to hear they had to be carted off to the hospital?

'I should drop by later and see how they're doing. Henrik will know.'

For now, he went up to one of the firefighters, "Hey, do you know what may have started the fire?"

The woman shook her head, "Not exactly but it looked to be on purpose. We don't know what happened to the resident but once they wake up I'm sure they'll be able to let the police know"

Jackie nodded, "Right. Thanks."

"Any time, Jackie. Stay safe, alright? Take some time off for fucks sake" she laughed.

Jackie chuckled with her and shook his head, "Aw, you know I can't do that!"

"You're gonna go see him, aren't you? The resident?" people knew him too well in this city. Especially Firefighters, Police and doctors.

Jackie had done a lot for this city.

He shrugged, "Maybe~"

"Well just go easy on them, alright? They might be traumatized considering the big gash in their head. Poor thing looked like his skull split"

"Damn. Alright, you have my word. No interrogating the patient. I'll see ya later!" he waved them all off and set course for the hospital. He couldn't wait. He needed to know if this person was going to be okay and what exactly happened to cause that fire.

Henrik was having a busy day already. He performed a few surgeries and helped the ER with a few emergencies but the last thing he was expecting was another patient near-death so late on his shift.