Chapter Twelve
Dawson
The shrill alarm pierced the air, jolting me from my fitful slumber. I leapt out of bed, my heart pounding, and raced to put on my bunker gear. The dispatcher’s voice crackled over the intercom. “All units respond. High-rise fire, corner of 5th and Main. Multiple civilians trapped.”
I pulled on my heavy boots and bunker pants, fumbling with the suspenders in my haste. The acrid scent of smoke from hundreds of fires past still clung to the gear. My hands shook slightly as I zipped up my coat and grabbed my helmet.
“Move it, Dawson!” Captain Briggs shouted as he jogged past. “This one’s gonna be bad.”
I fell into step behind him, my muscles tensing in anticipation. The rest of the crew piled into the truck, faces grim and focused.
I slid into my seat, strapped on my air tank, and tried to quiet my mind. But dark thoughts crept in unbidden. Would this be the fire that finally broke me? The one where I wasn’t fast enough, or strong enough to save them all?
The engine roared to life and we sped into the predawn darkness, sirens wailing. The town was counting on us. We were the only hope the trapped civilians had.
As the first orange glimmers of flame came into view against the skyline, I clenched my jaw and braced myself. It was time to do what I had trained for, what I lived for.
Time to walk through the fire once again.
The scene that greeted us was pure chaos. Angry flames devoured the high-rise, belching out thick, black smoke that obscured the early morning sky. Panicked screams pierced the air as residents fled the building, some stumbling, others carrying crying children. The acrid stench of burning plastic and wood assaulted my nostrils.
I leaped from the truck before it fully stopped, my boots hitting the pavement with a jarring thud. The heat was intense, even from a distance, the fire’s rage palpable. Glass shattered somewhere above, raining down deadly shards. My heart raced, adrenaline surging through my veins.
“Dawson, Maxwell, get those hoses ready!” Captain Briggs barked. “We need to contain this blaze!”
I rushed to comply. As I hauled the heavy hose from the truck, my eyes scanned the building, assessing the situation. The fire had engulfed multiple floors, and the structural integrity was compromised. We had to move fast.
“Cap, we’ve got people trapped on the upper levels!” Lieutenant Johnson shouted, pointing to the desperate faces pleading for help from the smoke-filled windows.
“Dawson, you’re with me,” Briggs commanded. “We’re going in. The rest of you, focus on evacuation and suppression.”
I nodded grimly, my resolve hardening. This was what I signed up for -- to save lives, no matter the cost. I checked my equipment, ensuring my oxygen tank was secure and my radio functional.
With a deep breath, I followed Captain Briggs toward the entrance, the heat intensifying with every step. Sweat dripped down my face, stinging my eyes, but I blinked it away.
As we approached the doors, a thunderous explosion rocked the building, sending a shower of fiery debris raining down. I instinctively ducked, shielding my head. Screams of terror filled the air, urging us forward.
“Let’s move!” Briggs shouted over the roar of the flames. “We’ve got lives to save!”
I steeled myself, pushing aside the fear that threatened to take hold. With a determined stride, I plunged into the inferno, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The lives of those trapped inside depended on us, and I would not let them down.
The heat hit me like a wall as we went deeper into the building, the thick smoke obscuring my vision. I could feel the fire’s intensity through my protective gear, the temperature soaring with each passing second. The crackle of the flames and the groaning of the weakening structure filled my ears, a stark reminder of the danger we faced.
This was the worst one since Nora had come into my life. For the first time, I worried I wouldn’t make it home. What would she and Taylor do if I got trapped in this building? It hadn’t bothered me as much in the past, but things were different now.
“Stick close,” Briggs called out, his voice muffled by his mask. “We need to sweep the floors systematically.”
I nodded, my eyes straining to penetrate the dense smoke. We moved cautiously, our boots crunching on the debris-strewn floor. The flickering flames cast eerie shadows on the walls, distorting our surroundings.
As we ascended the stairwell, the smoke grew thicker, and the heat more oppressive. My lungs burned with each breath, despite the oxygen flowing from my tank. The weight of my gear seemed to double with every step, but I pushed through the exhaustion, knowing that every second counted.
We reached the first landing, and Briggs signaled for me to take the lead. I stepped forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The door to the hallway was ajar, and I could hear muffled cries for help from within the various units.
I pushed the door open, and a gust of scorching air hit me, nearly knocking me back. The hallway was a hellscape, with flames licking the walls and ceiling.
“Fire department! Call out!” I shouted, my voice straining to be heard over the roar of the blaze.
A feeble cry reached my ears, and I moved toward it, my senses on high alert. I scanned the doors, looking for any sign of life. Suddenly, I spotted a hand reaching out from beneath a pile of debris.
“I’ve got one!” I called back to Briggs, already moving to clear the rubble.
My mind raced as I worked, knowing every second counted. I could feel the heat searing my skin, even through my gear, but I refused to yield. I had to save them.
As I frantically dug through the debris, my thoughts drifted to Nora. I knew she was out there, possibly watching the chaos unfold on TV, her heart gripped with fear for my safety. I could almost feel her presence, her love giving me the strength to keep going. If I’d backed down when her building had caught fire, she wouldn’t be alive right now. I had to do the same for these people.
The victim’s face came into view, soot-stained and terrified. It was a young woman, her eyes wide with panic. I reached out, grasping her hand firmly.
“I’ve got you,” I reassured her. “We’re going to get you out of here.”
She nodded, her grip tightening around mine as I carefully pulled her from the rubble. Briggs was at my side in an instant, helping me lift her to her feet.
* * *
Nora
Even though I’d gone into work, I found myself glued to the TV mounted on the wall, watching the flames engulf a building. I recognized the number on the fire truck on scene, and it felt like my heart was in my throat. The thought of Dawson in there, risking his life, made my chest constrict with fear. I clasped my hands together, silently praying for his safety.
The minutes dragged by, each one feeling like an eternity. The sirens, the shouts, the crackling of the fire -- it all blended into a cacophony of chaos. The reporter’s voice trying to talk over everything going on behind her. But all I could focus on was the door, waiting for Dawson to emerge. I just knew he’d been one of the firefighters who’d gone inside.
“Please, God,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “Bring him back to me.”
I thought of all the moments we’d shared, the love we’d found. The idea of losing him was unbearable. I needed him, more than I’d ever needed anyone.
* * *
Dawson
We made our way back through the hallway, the heat pressing in on us from all sides. The woman leaned heavily against me, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. I could feel my own lungs straining, the smoke thick and suffocating. I’d already shared some oxygen with her, but I knew it wasn’t enough. We needed to get her to a paramedic as soon as possible.
We pushed on, step by grueling step. Briggs led the way, his ax at the ready, clearing the path of any obstacles.
As we neared the stairwell, a deafening crack echoed through the building. I looked up, my heart stopping as I saw the ceiling above us give way. In a split second, I threw myself over the woman, shielding her as chunks of debris rained down around us.
Pain exploded through my body as something struck my back, but I gritted my teeth, refusing to let go. I had to get her out. I had to make it back to Nora.
I felt the debris lifting off me. With a grunt of effort, I staggered to my feet, pulling the woman with me. Briggs was at my side, his eyes wide with concern.
“You all right, Kane?” he shouted over the roar of the fire.
I nodded, my jaw clenched. “I’m fine. Let’s keep moving.”
We pushed on, the stairs treacherous beneath our feet. My mind was focused on one thing -- getting out alive. For the woman in my arms. For my team. For Nora.
I wouldn’t let the fire win. Not today.
* * *
Nora
I hadn’t been able to watch on the TV a moment longer. I’d yelled out to my boss I had to leave, and then I’d rushed to the scene of the fire, needing to see for myself that Dawson was all right. Except, he still hadn’t come out of the building.
I pressed a hand to my mouth, holding back a scream as flames licked the sky. I knew this was his job, but right now, all I felt was sheer terror at the thought of never seeing him again.
The heat was intense, even from a distance, and I could barely breathe through the thick smoke that hung in the air.
But none of that mattered. All I could think about was Dawson, somewhere inside that inferno, risking his life to save others. My hands shook as I clasped them together, silently praying for his safety.
A movement caught my eye, and I turned, my breath catching in my throat. There, lurking in the shadows of a nearby alley, was a figure I knew all too well. Rex.
He stood there, watching the chaos unfold, a twisted smile on his face. Our eyes met, and a chill ran down my spine. Was he here for me? Had he known somehow that Dawson’s station would answer the call? Had he hoped I’d show up?
I took a step back, my heart racing. I had to get away, had to find somewhere safe. But where could I go? The streets were filled with panicked people, and the fire was spreading rapidly. Even though I knew some of the firefighters, I couldn’t distract them from their jobs.
Rex started toward me, his eyes glinting with malice. I turned to run, but my feet felt like lead, weighed down by fear.
“Nora!” he called out, his voice cutting through the din of the sirens and screams. “You can’t run from me!”
I looked around desperately, searching for someone, anyone who could help me. But everyone was focused on the fire, on the brave firefighters battling the blaze.
I was alone. Alone with the man who had made my life a living hell.
Rex closed in, his hand reaching out to grab me. I stumbled back, my mind reeling. What could I do? How could I escape?
And then, in the midst of my panic, a single thought crystallized in my mind. Dawson. He was my hope, my salvation. I had to trust that he would find me, that he would save me from Rex’s clutches. Even if Rex managed to kidnap me right now, I had to believe Dawson would come for me.
I darted into a nearby alley, my heart pounding as I heard Rex’s footsteps close behind me. The narrow passage was cluttered with garbage and debris, making it difficult to navigate. I stumbled over a discarded box, nearly losing my balance, but I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when Rex was so close.
“You can’t hide from me, Nora,” he taunted, his voice echoing off the brick walls. “You know I’ll always find you.”
I pushed myself harder, my lungs burning with the effort. I had to find a way out, had to escape this nightmare. But as I rounded a corner, I found myself facing a dead end. A high chain-link fence blocked my path, and there was no way to climb it.
I turned around, my back pressed against the cold metal, as Rex emerged from the shadows. His eyes were wild, his face contorted with rage.
“You thought you could leave me?” he snarled, taking a step closer. “You thought you could start a new life with that damn firefighter?”
I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “Please, Rex. Just let me go. I don’t want any trouble.”
He laughed, a cold, harsh sound that sent shivers down my spine. “Trouble? Oh, Nora, you don’t know the meaning of trouble. Not yet.”
He lunged forward, grabbing me by the throat and slamming me against the fence. I gasped for air, my vision blurring as his fingers tightened around my neck.
“You’re mine, Nora,” he hissed, his face inches from mine. “You’ll always be mine. And no one, not even your precious Dawson, can change that.”
I clawed at his hands, desperate to break free, but he was too strong. As the world began to fade away, I could only think of Dawson, of the love we shared, and the future we dreamed of together. A future that now seemed so far out of reach.
The last thing I remembered was the sickening crack of my head against a fence post before everything went black.
* * *
I awoke to a throbbing pain in my skull and the taste of blood in my mouth. My eyes fluttered open, struggling to focus in the dim light. Where was I? How long had I been unconscious?
Panic seized my chest as the memories came flooding back… Rex’s fury, his hands around my throat, the helplessness that consumed me. I tried to move, but my hands and feet were bound tightly with rough rope that chafed against my skin.
“Look who’s finally awake.” Rex’s voice cut through the silence, sending a fresh wave of terror through my veins.
He emerged from the shadows, a cruel smile playing on his lips. In his hand, he held a gleaming knife, its blade catching the faint light and reflecting it back like a warning.
“Rex, please,” I croaked, my voice hoarse from screaming. “You don’t have to do this. Just let me go.”
He crouched down beside me, trailing the knife along my throat with a gentleness that belied the malice in his eyes. “Oh, Nora, I’m afraid I do. You see, you belong to me. And if I can’t have you, well…”
He pressed the blade against my throat, just hard enough to draw a line of blood. I could feel it trickling down my neck. I held my breath, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
“No one else can, either.”
I closed my eyes, hot tears streaming down my face as I silently prayed for a miracle. For Dawson to burst through the door and save me from this nightmare. But deep down, I knew that this time, there might be no escape.
The metal of the knife felt like ice against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat of Rex’s breath on my face. My mind raced, desperately searching for a way out, but I was trapped, helpless, at the mercy of a man who had none.
“Why are you doing this?” I whispered, my voice trembling with fear and desperation. “I never did anything to you. I just wanted to be free.”
Rex’s eyes flashed with anger. “You think you can just leave me? After everything I’ve done for you? You’re mine, Nora. You’ll always be mine.”
His words sent a chill down my spine, and I realized with sickening clarity that he truly believed what he was saying. In his twisted mind, I was nothing more than a possession, a toy to be played with and discarded at his whim.
Suddenly, the sound of sirens pierced the air, growing louder and louder until they were almost deafening. Rex’s head snapped up, his eyes widening with surprise and rage.
“What the hell?” he growled, standing up and moving toward the window.
I held my breath, hardly daring to hope. Could it be? Had someone heard my screams, called for help? But then Rex grunted and came back toward me, his steps unhurried. It was enough to tell me the police weren’t here to save me.
“What do you want, Rex?” I asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? You can either move back home with me, or you can die.” He leaned in close. “I don’t give a shit about the kid. The firefighter can keep her for all I care.”
The fact Taylor was safe was enough to remind me there were still small blessings to be found even in this nightmare. I needed to stall for time. Would Rex believe me if I agreed to go home with him? I didn’t recognize the space we were in, which meant he’d brought me somewhere we hadn’t been before. Judging the state of the room, it might very well be a condemned building.
My mind raced, searching for a way out. I had to buy time, had to survive until help could arrive. But how? Rex’s eyes bored into me, filled with a mixture of rage and twisted desire that made my skin crawl.
Trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me, I said, “We can talk about this. Maybe… maybe we can work something out.”
He laughed, a harsh, grating sound that echoed off the crumbling walls of my makeshift prison. “Oh, Nora. Sweet, naive Nora. You still don’t get it, do you? There’s nothing to talk about. You’re mine, and it’s time you remembered that.”
He began to pace the room, his boots kicking up small clouds of dust with each step. The knife glinted in his hand, a constant reminder of the danger I was in. I took in my surroundings, desperate for any sign of where we might be or how I could escape.
The room was small and dilapidated, with peeling wallpaper and water stains marring the ceiling. A single, dirty window let in a faint stream of light, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air. The floorboards creaked ominously under Rex’s weight, and I wondered if they might give way entirely. I actually thought that might be my best option, him falling to his death. Didn’t matter I’d be left tied to this damn chair. I’d find a way to get out of here as long as I didn’t have a knife wielding psycho staring me down.
“You know,” Rex said, his voice taking on a dangerously calm tone, “I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’d do when I finally got you back. And let me tell you, Nora, I’ve come up with some truly creative ideas.”
He crouched down beside me again, tracing the tip of the knife along my collarbone. I shuddered, trying to shrink away from his touch, but the ropes held me firmly in place.
“First,” he continued, his breath hot on my face, “I think we’ll start with those pretty little fingers of yours. One by one, I’ll break them. Slowly. Just to remind you what happens when you try to push me away.”
I bit back a sob, my mind reeling with horror at his words. I had to stay strong, had to find a way out of this.
“Then,” Rex went on, his voice taking on a dreamy quality that was somehow more terrifying than his anger, “we’ll move on to your toes. Did you know there are twenty-six bones in a human foot? I wonder how many I can break before you pass out from the pain.”
I closed my eyes, trying to block out his words, but they seeped into my consciousness like poison. I thought of Dawson, of Taylor, of the life we had been building together. I couldn’t let it end like this.
“Rex, please,” I whispered again, opening my eyes to meet his gaze. “This isn’t you. Remember when we first met? You were kind, gentle. What happened to that man?”
He grinned. “It was all a lie, Nora. I simply gave you what you wanted in order to reel you in. Then when you had no way to escape, nowhere else to go, I was able to be my true self.”
I’d always known that’s what happened but hearing him say it made it even more real. I’d been so stupid, so gullible. And now I was in his grasp once again.