The Right Choices
by GCS
Chapter Four
There was no time between runs on his first morning back at work.
From the MVA where he had to shimmy beneath an overturned pick-up, to the dip in the ocean to assist a stranded boater who thought he was having a heart attack only to find out he was hyperventilating, to a kid at the elementary school who had fallen from the monkey bars, the squad never made it back to the station.
At half past one the entire station was called to a fire at a grocery store.
They were first on the scene.
Cap sent Johnny and Roy in to find a store clerk who was unaccounted for after calling for additional alarms. "Okay guys make it fast. There are a lot of flammable materials in there. Try to stay away from the aerosol hairspray cans," he patted Johnny on the back and chuckled. They could all hear popping sounds as the heat spread through the rows of shelving inside. "The manager says the kid was probably in the store room at the back. Try the back door to gain access. Keep in touch."
The two Paramedics nodded their understanding and ran down the alleyway toward the back of the building. They could hear the additional station's sirens as they approached.
It was no surprise that the door was locked. Roy pried the door open quickly. The two men disappeared into the smoke filled darkness.
Johnny flipped on his flashlight, turned to make eye contact with Roy, and waited until he had his own flashlight on before they moved further into the abyss.
Roy cocked his head to the right at the same time he pointed to the left. Johnny knew that he would take the left side of the room while Roy searched the right. No words were necessary. They understood each other and knew how they would handle this search even before Roy had pointed.
Okay partner let's find this kid and get out of here. I just got you back. I don't want either of us hurt again anytime soon. Roy watched Johnny as he disappeared behind a stack of pallets.
The beam of light from his flashlight trailed across stacks of unboxed groceries. Man, we would get called to a fire at a grocery store after missing lunch. I'm starved. Johnny smiled at himself. If I could find the marsh mellows or hot dogs I would roast me a few right now.
It was Roy who found the clerk collapsed against a forklift at the back of the large storage area. He turned trying to spot his partner before scooping the victim up over his shoulder. The boy was tall and slender reminding him of Johnny. Come on Junior where are you?He turned back the opposite direction with and started making his way to the exit. "Johnny." Roy called through his facemask.
No response.
He momentarily felt a chill run down his back. "Johnny! Come on Junior I've got him."
No response.
Slipping his facemask from his face he yelled again. "Johnny! Let's go!"
He still did not get a response from the darkened smoke filled chasm.
His eyes frantically roamed what little he could see.
Reaching for the HT in his pocket to notify Captain Stanley that he had gotten separated from his partner he nearly jumped out of his skin when Johnny tapped him on the shoulder, "What are we waitin' for?"
"God Johnny why didn't you answer me?"
"I did Roy, you just couldn't hear me through all of your yelling." Johnny shrugged and pushed passed Roy to the exit.
Roy followed his partner to the yellow blanket that Mike Stoker had already spread out for them by the squad. He lowered the young man to the blanket as Johnny slipped the oxygen mask over his face.
Pulling the bio-phone within reach Johnny hailed the hospital, "Rampart this is Squad 51, how do you read me?"
Mike Morton could be heard responding through the radio headset. "We read you 51."
"Rampart we have a victim, approximately 18, 135 pounds, suffering from smoke inhalation. His respirations are 35 and shallow, his pulse is 120, and his BP is….." He looked to Roy.
"120 over 75"
"BP is 120 over 75. We have administered O2. There are no other apparent injuries."
"51 continue the oxygen and start an IV D5W TKO and transport."
"10-4, continue O2, IV D5W TKO, ETA is 15 minutes, ambulance is on the scene." He dropped the headset back into the case, unscrewed the antennae and closed it.
"Okay Junior, your turn to ride with the patient. I'll meet you at Rampart."
"Okay Pally." Johnny climbed in the ambulance with the patient glad to have a short break during the ride. With a little help from the oxygen and IV the young man was already showing signs of waking up. Well at least I'll get to relax for a minute, he thought as he yawned deeply and rubbed his eyes.
"Cap we're on the way to Rampart. We'll see you back at the barn. I hope." He waved as he climbed into the Squad. Maybe we'll get back to the station and get to shower before the engine crew.
A short stop by Rampart to get Johnny, and they were on their way back to the barn for the first time since they started shift. Johnny sat slumped against the passenger side door, his eyes closed, and his breathing slow and even. Roy knew he was probably asleep. I need to get some food into you Junior, and then I hope we have a little down time. You're looking a little rough. This has been a hard shift for me too, and I haven't just gotten back from an injury.
"What?" Johnny stirred thinking Roy had been talking to him.
"I didn't say anything Johnny."
"Are you sure? I thought you said something about getting something to eat." He sat up slowly.
"No."
"Oh I must have been having a really good dream then." He chuckled.
"Mike said he left our lunch in the oven." Roy smiled at his always hungry friend.
"Great." That trademark grin spread across his face. "I'm starved."
Roy barely got the Squad into the bay before Johnny jumped out and headed toward the locker room, "I'll just be a minute Roy. I'm gonna grab a quick shower, and then I'm gonna get that food."
Roy just laughed at his partner. One thing about Johnny everything he did was done fast except a shower. "Leave some hot water for the rest of us." He hoped there would be some hot water for him after Johnny finished.
Walking slowly to the kitchen he decided to get lunch on the table while he waited. Pouring two glasses of milk and pulling the plates containing fried chicken, potatoes and baked beans from the oven, he whistled at the succulent aroma.
To his surprise Johnny was in and out of the shower in less than fifteen minutes and joining him at the table. "Wow that must be a record."
"I told you I was starved." Johnny slid into his chair while grabbing a chicken leg with one hand and his fork with the other.
They ate in silence hoping to finish before they were called out again.
Roy went for his shower while Johnny washed up their dishes and started a fresh pot of coffee.
Feeling the chill that since his accident was now somewhat of the norm for him, Johnny had slipped his jacket on, and then he settled on the sofa to wait for it to the coffee to brew.
That is where Roy found him when he came back to the dayroom.
Johnny was sound asleep lying on the couch, on his side, with his arms folded tightly to his chest.
Roy grabbed a cup of coffee and the newspaper and sat at the table. He could hear the engine backing into the station. The guys filtered into the dayroom and one by one got something to drink and settled into chairs. Captain Stanley stopped by the radio and reported them back at quarters.
"Okay guys," he said as he entered the room and stopped looking at Johnny. "Is he okay Roy?"
"Yeah Cap, just a little over tired."
"Well the station is stood down for one hour to get cleaned up. Marco you're first in the shower." He pointed over his shoulder toward the bay. Marco slid out of his chair depositing his glass in the sink and disappeared from the room without a word. "Kelly you're next." Hank looked over at Johnny, turned and headed for the coffee pot. "Keep it down. Let him sleep."
"Yes sir," could be heard from the three others.
Chet rose from his seat without saying a word and left the room.
A few minutes later he returned with a blanket which he carefully spread across the sleeping man.
Johnny could feel the warmth of a blanket. Even in his sleep he was glad. He circled his fingers around the edge and pulled it against his neck, snuggled deeper into the couch and sleepily sighed.
Neither of the two witnesses said a word.
From the MVA where he had to shimmy beneath an overturned pick-up, to the dip in the ocean to assist a stranded boater who thought he was having a heart attack only to find out he was hyperventilating, to a kid at the elementary school who had fallen from the monkey bars, the squad never made it back to the station.
At half past one the entire station was called to a fire at a grocery store.
They were first on the scene.
Cap sent Johnny and Roy in to find a store clerk who was unaccounted for after calling for additional alarms. "Okay guys make it fast. There are a lot of flammable materials in there. Try to stay away from the aerosol hairspray cans," he patted Johnny on the back and chuckled. They could all hear popping sounds as the heat spread through the rows of shelving inside. "The manager says the kid was probably in the store room at the back. Try the back door to gain access. Keep in touch."
The two Paramedics nodded their understanding and ran down the alleyway toward the back of the building. They could hear the additional station's sirens as they approached.
It was no surprise that the door was locked. Roy pried the door open quickly. The two men disappeared into the smoke filled darkness.
Johnny flipped on his flashlight, turned to make eye contact with Roy, and waited until he had his own flashlight on before they moved further into the abyss.
Roy cocked his head to the right at the same time he pointed to the left. Johnny knew that he would take the left side of the room while Roy searched the right. No words were necessary. They understood each other and knew how they would handle this search even before Roy had pointed.
Okay partner let's find this kid and get out of here. I just got you back. I don't want either of us hurt again anytime soon. Roy watched Johnny as he disappeared behind a stack of pallets.
The beam of light from his flashlight trailed across stacks of unboxed groceries. Man, we would get called to a fire at a grocery store after missing lunch. I'm starved. Johnny smiled at himself. If I could find the marsh mellows or hot dogs I would roast me a few right now.
It was Roy who found the clerk collapsed against a forklift at the back of the large storage area. He turned trying to spot his partner before scooping the victim up over his shoulder. The boy was tall and slender reminding him of Johnny. Come on Junior where are you?He turned back the opposite direction with and started making his way to the exit. "Johnny." Roy called through his facemask.
No response.
He momentarily felt a chill run down his back. "Johnny! Come on Junior I've got him."
No response.
Slipping his facemask from his face he yelled again. "Johnny! Let's go!"
He still did not get a response from the darkened smoke filled chasm.
His eyes frantically roamed what little he could see.
Reaching for the HT in his pocket to notify Captain Stanley that he had gotten separated from his partner he nearly jumped out of his skin when Johnny tapped him on the shoulder, "What are we waitin' for?"
"God Johnny why didn't you answer me?"
"I did Roy, you just couldn't hear me through all of your yelling." Johnny shrugged and pushed passed Roy to the exit.
Roy followed his partner to the yellow blanket that Mike Stoker had already spread out for them by the squad. He lowered the young man to the blanket as Johnny slipped the oxygen mask over his face.
Pulling the bio-phone within reach Johnny hailed the hospital, "Rampart this is Squad 51, how do you read me?"
Mike Morton could be heard responding through the radio headset. "We read you 51."
"Rampart we have a victim, approximately 18, 135 pounds, suffering from smoke inhalation. His respirations are 35 and shallow, his pulse is 120, and his BP is….." He looked to Roy.
"120 over 75"
"BP is 120 over 75. We have administered O2. There are no other apparent injuries."
"51 continue the oxygen and start an IV D5W TKO and transport."
"10-4, continue O2, IV D5W TKO, ETA is 15 minutes, ambulance is on the scene." He dropped the headset back into the case, unscrewed the antennae and closed it.
"Okay Junior, your turn to ride with the patient. I'll meet you at Rampart."
"Okay Pally." Johnny climbed in the ambulance with the patient glad to have a short break during the ride. With a little help from the oxygen and IV the young man was already showing signs of waking up. Well at least I'll get to relax for a minute, he thought as he yawned deeply and rubbed his eyes.
"Cap we're on the way to Rampart. We'll see you back at the barn. I hope." He waved as he climbed into the Squad. Maybe we'll get back to the station and get to shower before the engine crew.
A short stop by Rampart to get Johnny, and they were on their way back to the barn for the first time since they started shift. Johnny sat slumped against the passenger side door, his eyes closed, and his breathing slow and even. Roy knew he was probably asleep. I need to get some food into you Junior, and then I hope we have a little down time. You're looking a little rough. This has been a hard shift for me too, and I haven't just gotten back from an injury.
"What?" Johnny stirred thinking Roy had been talking to him.
"I didn't say anything Johnny."
"Are you sure? I thought you said something about getting something to eat." He sat up slowly.
"No."
"Oh I must have been having a really good dream then." He chuckled.
"Mike said he left our lunch in the oven." Roy smiled at his always hungry friend.
"Great." That trademark grin spread across his face. "I'm starved."
Roy barely got the Squad into the bay before Johnny jumped out and headed toward the locker room, "I'll just be a minute Roy. I'm gonna grab a quick shower, and then I'm gonna get that food."
Roy just laughed at his partner. One thing about Johnny everything he did was done fast except a shower. "Leave some hot water for the rest of us." He hoped there would be some hot water for him after Johnny finished.
Walking slowly to the kitchen he decided to get lunch on the table while he waited. Pouring two glasses of milk and pulling the plates containing fried chicken, potatoes and baked beans from the oven, he whistled at the succulent aroma.
To his surprise Johnny was in and out of the shower in less than fifteen minutes and joining him at the table. "Wow that must be a record."
"I told you I was starved." Johnny slid into his chair while grabbing a chicken leg with one hand and his fork with the other.
They ate in silence hoping to finish before they were called out again.
Roy went for his shower while Johnny washed up their dishes and started a fresh pot of coffee.
Feeling the chill that since his accident was now somewhat of the norm for him, Johnny had slipped his jacket on, and then he settled on the sofa to wait for it to the coffee to brew.
That is where Roy found him when he came back to the dayroom.
Johnny was sound asleep lying on the couch, on his side, with his arms folded tightly to his chest.
Roy grabbed a cup of coffee and the newspaper and sat at the table. He could hear the engine backing into the station. The guys filtered into the dayroom and one by one got something to drink and settled into chairs. Captain Stanley stopped by the radio and reported them back at quarters.
"Okay guys," he said as he entered the room and stopped looking at Johnny. "Is he okay Roy?"
"Yeah Cap, just a little over tired."
"Well the station is stood down for one hour to get cleaned up. Marco you're first in the shower." He pointed over his shoulder toward the bay. Marco slid out of his chair depositing his glass in the sink and disappeared from the room without a word. "Kelly you're next." Hank looked over at Johnny, turned and headed for the coffee pot. "Keep it down. Let him sleep."
"Yes sir," could be heard from the three others.
Chet rose from his seat without saying a word and left the room.
A few minutes later he returned with a blanket which he carefully spread across the sleeping man.
Johnny could feel the warmth of a blanket. Even in his sleep he was glad. He circled his fingers around the edge and pulled it against his neck, snuggled deeper into the couch and sleepily sighed.
Neither of the two witnesses said a word.
Chapter Five
As soon as the hour was up the station was called back into action.
The tones rang out through the quiet station waking Johnny from his nap. Struggling to untangle himself from the blanket, he stumbled to the Squad rubbing his eyes and yawning as he slid into the passenger seat.
"Feel better?" Roy glanced over at his partner.
"Huh?"
"He asked if you felt better after your nap. You okay?" Cap leaned on the driver's window waiting to be sure Johnny was alright to take the run.
"Of course I am. Why?" his mouth hung open in confusion.
"It's been a rough shift John." Cap looked to Roy for assurance that Johnny was alright.
"Yeah so, we have rough shifts all the time Cap. Let's go," Johnny waved his hand toward the windshield.
Roy locked eyes with Captain Stanley as he reached for the call slip and passed it to Johnny. In that split second he and Cap had an understanding. He would keep an eye on Johnny. If he thought there was a need to call in a replacement he would let Cap know.
Captain Stanley jogged over to the engine. The vehicles left the bay, sirens blaring, lights flashing.
"What's with you guys?" Johnny asked incredulously. "Can't a guy take a nap?"
Roy rolled his eyes. Knowing Johnny's moods and knowing the tones had roused him from a deep sleep, Roy expected the grouchy disposition. 'Maybe he won't have time for a full out rant.'
"I mean really. A guy works real hard all morning and decides to rest a little and what does he get? The third degree, that's what he gets."
"Johnny it's no big deal."
"No big deal! What do you mean no big deal? I just took a nap and you guys act like I need a replacement…..no big deal."
"Sorry."
"What?"
"Sorry."
Johnny could see the sincerity in Roy's face. "Okay." He shifted in his seat. "Take a right at the next light." He knew they were genuinely concerned about him, but he had been cleared to return to work. He wanted to prove to himself and to Cap that he could do the job. 'Why did I get so upset? Am I really up to this? I never used to take naps in the middle of the day.' Before he had a chance to dwell on his thoughts they arrived at the scene of the house fire.
"Will you look at that?" Roy leaned forward looking up from the windshield at the huge mansion. Smoke poured from the upper floor windows.
Johnny was out of the Squad before he had a chance to answer pulling on his turnout coat and setting up the hydrant. Naps, rants, and doubts forgotten. They had a job to do.
The engine slowed and uncharacteristically Chet jumped down, grabbed the feeder hose and looped it around the hydrant. For a brief instant anger spread across Johnny's face.
"Cap said you need to put on your gear fast, 16's Captain just radioed for the Squad. There's a missing kid."
Johnny nodded his understanding and took off in the direction of the Squad. "Roy we got a missing kid." He pulled the compartment door that held his SCBA as he explained. Captain Stanley jogged over and told them what he knew.
The two rescuers moved to the front door of the stately home and disappeared inside.
Once inside they hesitated and looked in awe at the flamboyant entryway. A huge staircase, the likes of the one Scarlet O'hara descended in Gone with the Wind when she tried to stop Rhet Butler from leaving, loomed before them. Smoke drifted down from the doors off the balcony high above.
A quick glance at each other and they began the trip up the steps taking two or three at a time.
The structure had three stories and the parents had no clue what room their eight year old daughter had been in when the fire broke out. The crew from 16's had already fanned out on the first floor. That left the second and third to be searched. The fire seemed to have started on the third floor and that is where they would start their search.
At the top of the stairs they had to go either left or right to another set of stairs to reach the third floor. The father had told them that the stairs to the right led to the playroom while the stairs to the left led to spare bedrooms. They turned to the right.
Roy raised the HT to let Cap know their progress. "HT 51 to Engine 51."
"Engine 51, go ahead."
"Cap we're on the second floor. We're moving to the third floor on the right stair case to the playroom."
"10-4."
"HT 51 out."
Johnny tapped Roy on the shoulder and pointed down the hall. Flames crept up the wall and lapped at the ceiling above. Smoke billowed from the air vents. The fire must have started in one of the spare bedrooms or the attic. Nodding his understanding they moved to the playroom with a renewed sense of urgency.
Engine 51 had been instructed to fight the blaze on the second floor on the end opposite of where Johnny and Roy searched the playroom.
In the very large room the two rescuers scoured the outer walls Roy to the right and Johnny to the left. Neither had seen any sign of the missing girl. In the darkened smoke filled room, it became apparent to the men that this was not a child's playroom. In the center of the room a large pool table stood beneath a heavy stained glass bar lamp. On the far end stood a fully stocked bar complete with a counter and several cushioned barstools. This place made any of the local bars pale in comparison. Tables and chairs surrounded the bar. A big screen projection TV sat in the corner with a row of reclining theater seats spread out in front.
They were riveted out of their inspection of the ostentatious room when the weakened ceiling buckled, and the lamp came crashing down onto the pool table. That's when Roy saw the tiny pink tennis shoe slide from sight under the heavy table. Wasting no time he moved under the table and emerged with a very frightened little girl. Relief shown on both men's faces as they headed from the deteriorating room and bounded down the first flight of stairs.
On the second floor Chet, Marco and Captain Stanley did their best to keep the fire from spreading and blocking their escape route. Johnny could tell that it was his crew mates at the end of the hall even through the dense smoke. Captain Stanley at well above 6' could probably be one of the tallest men in the department, and Chet could very well be one of the shortest reminding Johnny of a bizarre comedy act. Chuckling to himself at the thought he waved to his friends.
Just as he raised his hand to wave letting his crew mates know they had found the little girl the ceiling above their heads came crashing down. Looking up instantly to be sure Roy and the little girl were safe, Johnny could see daylight. The roof had collapsed down on the third floor forcing the second story ceiling to crumple in response.
"I've got her." Roy called to him. "Go help them."
Johnny nodded his understanding.
Roy moved down the staircase with his precious cargo.
Johnny turned and moved back up the stairs to find his friends.
The fire hose snaking into the pile of debris was the only evidence that they had been there a few minutes ago.
Grabbing at the debris he began pulling away anything that he could move while at the same time he scanned the pile for any access to the other side. Near the top of the mound he saw a small opening. Thinking that possibly he could slide through the slit he climbed.
The crew from 16's mounted the top of the stairs as Johnny slid through the crack. The only thing 16's could see of him, his boots, disappeared from sight as they arrived to help.
The tones rang out through the quiet station waking Johnny from his nap. Struggling to untangle himself from the blanket, he stumbled to the Squad rubbing his eyes and yawning as he slid into the passenger seat.
"Feel better?" Roy glanced over at his partner.
"Huh?"
"He asked if you felt better after your nap. You okay?" Cap leaned on the driver's window waiting to be sure Johnny was alright to take the run.
"Of course I am. Why?" his mouth hung open in confusion.
"It's been a rough shift John." Cap looked to Roy for assurance that Johnny was alright.
"Yeah so, we have rough shifts all the time Cap. Let's go," Johnny waved his hand toward the windshield.
Roy locked eyes with Captain Stanley as he reached for the call slip and passed it to Johnny. In that split second he and Cap had an understanding. He would keep an eye on Johnny. If he thought there was a need to call in a replacement he would let Cap know.
Captain Stanley jogged over to the engine. The vehicles left the bay, sirens blaring, lights flashing.
"What's with you guys?" Johnny asked incredulously. "Can't a guy take a nap?"
Roy rolled his eyes. Knowing Johnny's moods and knowing the tones had roused him from a deep sleep, Roy expected the grouchy disposition. 'Maybe he won't have time for a full out rant.'
"I mean really. A guy works real hard all morning and decides to rest a little and what does he get? The third degree, that's what he gets."
"Johnny it's no big deal."
"No big deal! What do you mean no big deal? I just took a nap and you guys act like I need a replacement…..no big deal."
"Sorry."
"What?"
"Sorry."
Johnny could see the sincerity in Roy's face. "Okay." He shifted in his seat. "Take a right at the next light." He knew they were genuinely concerned about him, but he had been cleared to return to work. He wanted to prove to himself and to Cap that he could do the job. 'Why did I get so upset? Am I really up to this? I never used to take naps in the middle of the day.' Before he had a chance to dwell on his thoughts they arrived at the scene of the house fire.
"Will you look at that?" Roy leaned forward looking up from the windshield at the huge mansion. Smoke poured from the upper floor windows.
Johnny was out of the Squad before he had a chance to answer pulling on his turnout coat and setting up the hydrant. Naps, rants, and doubts forgotten. They had a job to do.
The engine slowed and uncharacteristically Chet jumped down, grabbed the feeder hose and looped it around the hydrant. For a brief instant anger spread across Johnny's face.
"Cap said you need to put on your gear fast, 16's Captain just radioed for the Squad. There's a missing kid."
Johnny nodded his understanding and took off in the direction of the Squad. "Roy we got a missing kid." He pulled the compartment door that held his SCBA as he explained. Captain Stanley jogged over and told them what he knew.
The two rescuers moved to the front door of the stately home and disappeared inside.
Once inside they hesitated and looked in awe at the flamboyant entryway. A huge staircase, the likes of the one Scarlet O'hara descended in Gone with the Wind when she tried to stop Rhet Butler from leaving, loomed before them. Smoke drifted down from the doors off the balcony high above.
A quick glance at each other and they began the trip up the steps taking two or three at a time.
The structure had three stories and the parents had no clue what room their eight year old daughter had been in when the fire broke out. The crew from 16's had already fanned out on the first floor. That left the second and third to be searched. The fire seemed to have started on the third floor and that is where they would start their search.
At the top of the stairs they had to go either left or right to another set of stairs to reach the third floor. The father had told them that the stairs to the right led to the playroom while the stairs to the left led to spare bedrooms. They turned to the right.
Roy raised the HT to let Cap know their progress. "HT 51 to Engine 51."
"Engine 51, go ahead."
"Cap we're on the second floor. We're moving to the third floor on the right stair case to the playroom."
"10-4."
"HT 51 out."
Johnny tapped Roy on the shoulder and pointed down the hall. Flames crept up the wall and lapped at the ceiling above. Smoke billowed from the air vents. The fire must have started in one of the spare bedrooms or the attic. Nodding his understanding they moved to the playroom with a renewed sense of urgency.
Engine 51 had been instructed to fight the blaze on the second floor on the end opposite of where Johnny and Roy searched the playroom.
In the very large room the two rescuers scoured the outer walls Roy to the right and Johnny to the left. Neither had seen any sign of the missing girl. In the darkened smoke filled room, it became apparent to the men that this was not a child's playroom. In the center of the room a large pool table stood beneath a heavy stained glass bar lamp. On the far end stood a fully stocked bar complete with a counter and several cushioned barstools. This place made any of the local bars pale in comparison. Tables and chairs surrounded the bar. A big screen projection TV sat in the corner with a row of reclining theater seats spread out in front.
They were riveted out of their inspection of the ostentatious room when the weakened ceiling buckled, and the lamp came crashing down onto the pool table. That's when Roy saw the tiny pink tennis shoe slide from sight under the heavy table. Wasting no time he moved under the table and emerged with a very frightened little girl. Relief shown on both men's faces as they headed from the deteriorating room and bounded down the first flight of stairs.
On the second floor Chet, Marco and Captain Stanley did their best to keep the fire from spreading and blocking their escape route. Johnny could tell that it was his crew mates at the end of the hall even through the dense smoke. Captain Stanley at well above 6' could probably be one of the tallest men in the department, and Chet could very well be one of the shortest reminding Johnny of a bizarre comedy act. Chuckling to himself at the thought he waved to his friends.
Just as he raised his hand to wave letting his crew mates know they had found the little girl the ceiling above their heads came crashing down. Looking up instantly to be sure Roy and the little girl were safe, Johnny could see daylight. The roof had collapsed down on the third floor forcing the second story ceiling to crumple in response.
"I've got her." Roy called to him. "Go help them."
Johnny nodded his understanding.
Roy moved down the staircase with his precious cargo.
Johnny turned and moved back up the stairs to find his friends.
The fire hose snaking into the pile of debris was the only evidence that they had been there a few minutes ago.
Grabbing at the debris he began pulling away anything that he could move while at the same time he scanned the pile for any access to the other side. Near the top of the mound he saw a small opening. Thinking that possibly he could slide through the slit he climbed.
The crew from 16's mounted the top of the stairs as Johnny slid through the crack. The only thing 16's could see of him, his boots, disappeared from sight as they arrived to help.
Chapter Six
Reaching for his HT the lineman from Station 16 called for backup as he watched Johnny's boots disappear, "HT 16 to Engine 16, we have a ceiling collapse on the second floor. At least two possible Code I. There is a hose leading into the debris. Station 51's paramedic informed us his partner was up here to assist. We have just seen his boots disappear through a hole my eleven year old couldn't fit through."
"10-4 HT 16, help is on the way."
Johnny slid down the mountain of debris and fell in a heap at the bottom of the pile. He immediately scrambled to his feet and squinted through the smoke and dust trying to locate his friends. He saw Marco first. He leaned against the far wall of the small chamber left by the collapse holding his arm close to his chest, but otherwise looked okay. "Marco, stay put. I'll be over there in a minute. Are you hurt anywhere other than your arm?"
"I'm okay Johnny. Where's Chet and Cap?" Marco winced as he tried to lean forward.
"I mean it Marco, stay put."
Marco leaned back and settled against the wall to wait.
Johnny got down low and crab walked around the base of the pile trying to locate any sign of Chet and Cap. Pausing to pull off his gloves so he could feel for them, he shoved them in his pocket and began groping through the mess. Suddenly he felt something soft. He followed the fabric of the uniform pants to the hem of the turnout coat and up the back of the fallen man. Once he reached the head he knew it was Chet. Sticking out from beneath the helmet Johnny could feel the curly locks of the Phantom, "Chet, can you hear me?"
"Uhnn," Chet mumbled and coughed. His SCBA mask had gotten cracked in the collapse causing some of the smoke to enter his system. "Get off me Gage. Help me up."
"Hang on Chet let me check you out." Johnny ran his expert hands over Chet's neck, arms and legs. "Okay." He helped Chet sit up. "Any dizziness?"
"No," cough, cough, "no dizziness. Help me over to Marco." Chet moved to get up and swayed a little.
"No dizziness, huh?" Johnny reached out to steady him, and helped him across the hall next to Marco. "Can you share your air Marco?"
"Sure Johnny." He slid his mask off and handed it to Chet who had removed his broken one.
Johnny turned and scanned the area looking for his Captain. He pulled at chunks of wall and ceiling.
On the other side of the collapse the crews from Station 16 and Station 110 worked vehemently trying to find the missing men. Suddenly they heard Johnny call from the small hole he'd slid through earlier. "Hey."
"Is that you Gage?"
"Yeah, listen I've got Chet Kelly and Marco Lopez over here. They need medical attention, but I think other than a minor concussion and smoke, maybe an injured shoulder they're going to be okay. I think we can get them out the window to the room on the front east end of the house. I haven't located Captain Stanley."
"Okay Johnny," 110's Captain Stoney called back to him. "We haven't seen Hank on this side either. We'll keep digging."
"Is that you Stoney?" Captain Stone had been a Paramedic before moving up in the department. He and Johnny were good friends.
"Yeah Johnny, I'm here. I'll radio for a ladder, and let Roy know about Kelly and Lopez."
"Thanks!" Johnny slid back down and resumed his search for Cap. "Come on Cap where are ya?" Pulling at a large piece of wood dislodged some of the loose debris at the top of the heap sending it raining down on his head and back and pushed him down to the floor.
"Johnny!" Chet and Marco both yelled at the same time. They settled back against the wall when they saw him stir and move to sit up.
"I'm okay," he said dusting himself off and sitting up. He rubbed his shoulder.
"Gage!" Stoney had climbed partially up to the newly widened hole.
"Yeah, Stoney we're all right. Is that ladder coming?" Just as he asked he heard the tell tale sound of shattering glass as help had arrived at the window. Wishing he could continue looking for Captain Stanley but knowing his first duty would be helping get Marco and Chet out he struggled to his feet and reached out a hand to help Chet up.
"I heard some Firemen needed help in here." Roy announced as he came up next to Johnny. "Have you found Cap?"
Johnny made eye contact with his best friend and Paramedic partner; before he even spoke Roy knew he hadn't. "No."
"Well let's get these two out of here, and then we will." Roy helped Marco up and the four men moved to the window and the waiting Fireman on the ladder. "Craig and Bob are by the Squad Marco. They'll check you guys out."
"Okay Amigo, you guys just find Cap." Marco winked at Roy. "I'll see that Chet here gets checked out by Brice."
"No way Marco, I want Bellingham to look at me." Chet complained as he slid out the window onto the ladder.
Johnny and Roy looked at each other smiling at their shift mate's antics. They were all very worried about their Captain. Marco and Chet had effectively broken the ice and allowed them all to share a moment of hope that everything would be all right in the end. The two Rescue Men turned back to find Cap, and find him they would.
"10-4 HT 16, help is on the way."
Johnny slid down the mountain of debris and fell in a heap at the bottom of the pile. He immediately scrambled to his feet and squinted through the smoke and dust trying to locate his friends. He saw Marco first. He leaned against the far wall of the small chamber left by the collapse holding his arm close to his chest, but otherwise looked okay. "Marco, stay put. I'll be over there in a minute. Are you hurt anywhere other than your arm?"
"I'm okay Johnny. Where's Chet and Cap?" Marco winced as he tried to lean forward.
"I mean it Marco, stay put."
Marco leaned back and settled against the wall to wait.
Johnny got down low and crab walked around the base of the pile trying to locate any sign of Chet and Cap. Pausing to pull off his gloves so he could feel for them, he shoved them in his pocket and began groping through the mess. Suddenly he felt something soft. He followed the fabric of the uniform pants to the hem of the turnout coat and up the back of the fallen man. Once he reached the head he knew it was Chet. Sticking out from beneath the helmet Johnny could feel the curly locks of the Phantom, "Chet, can you hear me?"
"Uhnn," Chet mumbled and coughed. His SCBA mask had gotten cracked in the collapse causing some of the smoke to enter his system. "Get off me Gage. Help me up."
"Hang on Chet let me check you out." Johnny ran his expert hands over Chet's neck, arms and legs. "Okay." He helped Chet sit up. "Any dizziness?"
"No," cough, cough, "no dizziness. Help me over to Marco." Chet moved to get up and swayed a little.
"No dizziness, huh?" Johnny reached out to steady him, and helped him across the hall next to Marco. "Can you share your air Marco?"
"Sure Johnny." He slid his mask off and handed it to Chet who had removed his broken one.
Johnny turned and scanned the area looking for his Captain. He pulled at chunks of wall and ceiling.
On the other side of the collapse the crews from Station 16 and Station 110 worked vehemently trying to find the missing men. Suddenly they heard Johnny call from the small hole he'd slid through earlier. "Hey."
"Is that you Gage?"
"Yeah, listen I've got Chet Kelly and Marco Lopez over here. They need medical attention, but I think other than a minor concussion and smoke, maybe an injured shoulder they're going to be okay. I think we can get them out the window to the room on the front east end of the house. I haven't located Captain Stanley."
"Okay Johnny," 110's Captain Stoney called back to him. "We haven't seen Hank on this side either. We'll keep digging."
"Is that you Stoney?" Captain Stone had been a Paramedic before moving up in the department. He and Johnny were good friends.
"Yeah Johnny, I'm here. I'll radio for a ladder, and let Roy know about Kelly and Lopez."
"Thanks!" Johnny slid back down and resumed his search for Cap. "Come on Cap where are ya?" Pulling at a large piece of wood dislodged some of the loose debris at the top of the heap sending it raining down on his head and back and pushed him down to the floor.
"Johnny!" Chet and Marco both yelled at the same time. They settled back against the wall when they saw him stir and move to sit up.
"I'm okay," he said dusting himself off and sitting up. He rubbed his shoulder.
"Gage!" Stoney had climbed partially up to the newly widened hole.
"Yeah, Stoney we're all right. Is that ladder coming?" Just as he asked he heard the tell tale sound of shattering glass as help had arrived at the window. Wishing he could continue looking for Captain Stanley but knowing his first duty would be helping get Marco and Chet out he struggled to his feet and reached out a hand to help Chet up.
"I heard some Firemen needed help in here." Roy announced as he came up next to Johnny. "Have you found Cap?"
Johnny made eye contact with his best friend and Paramedic partner; before he even spoke Roy knew he hadn't. "No."
"Well let's get these two out of here, and then we will." Roy helped Marco up and the four men moved to the window and the waiting Fireman on the ladder. "Craig and Bob are by the Squad Marco. They'll check you guys out."
"Okay Amigo, you guys just find Cap." Marco winked at Roy. "I'll see that Chet here gets checked out by Brice."
"No way Marco, I want Bellingham to look at me." Chet complained as he slid out the window onto the ladder.
Johnny and Roy looked at each other smiling at their shift mate's antics. They were all very worried about their Captain. Marco and Chet had effectively broken the ice and allowed them all to share a moment of hope that everything would be all right in the end. The two Rescue Men turned back to find Cap, and find him they would.