𝗣 𝗬 𝗥 𝗢 𝗠 𝗔 𝗡 𝗜 𝗔 | BOOK THREE

O N E

[graham eaton]

"911, what is your emergency?"
"The school is on fire! Flames are pouring out of every window!"
"What? Could you repeat that for me?"
"The school is on fire! The students and all of the teachers are in danger!"
"We'll get some fire-fighters out there as soon as possible. Evacuate everyone in the building and take attendance. Let them know of any missing people as soon as possible."

I stand in the break room beside Atticus drinking from my large metal water bottle. Atticus chews on a granola bar, leaning against his hand.

"How much you wanna bet that Mom hates that we joined the Fire Department?" Atticus asks.

I laugh, taking another large sip from my water bottle.

"I have no doubt that she hates that we joined the force. It's just like dad. We take risky jobs." I state.

The emergency tone blares and my heart stops in my chest. I spin around, dropping my water bottle. Atticus stands from his seat tossing the rest of his granola bar into the trash as he runs through the door. I run after him, following him to the locker room where our gear is.

"Graham, Atticus, get dressed and climb in. We're responding to the scene first." Chief Williams says.

Atticus and I nod. I change into my work boots and pull on my fire-pants. I grab my jacket, helmet, and mask. I run to the truck, exhaling sharply. Atticus and I climb in, nodding to the driver. The large red fire engine speeds out of the garage and weaves through traffic to reach the high school in time.

"Do you think Dad had to respond?" Atticus asks.

I nod, finish up clipping my suspenders onto my pants.

"No doubt. The police are there to maintain order while the Firefighters put out the flames." I state.

Atticus holds his head in his hands, exhaling sharply. The truck slows, weaving between a set of cop cars. Atticus looks out the back window, watching the officers as they direct vehicles to different areas. I turn my head, gasping. A high school sits on the corner of the street, engulfed in flames. The flames burst through the windows and reach up to the sky, stretching as high as they can before losing their momentum.

"It's the High school." I state, directing Atticus's head to the window.

He looks back at me, eyebrows furrowed, his lips pressed firmly into a frown.

"What the Hell happened?" He asks.

I pat his shoulder.

"Maybe those electrical engineering skills will finally be put to good use." I joke, trying to ease my nerves.

He nods, staring down at the floor. The truck slows to a stop. The back door opens and I jump out, followed by Atticus. Groups of high schoolers run out of the burning building, their bodies covered in soot, smoke escaping their lungs as they cough.