Chapter Forty
Ω Bronx Ω
I lean back in the recliner in front of the TV. My phone died a while ago. Thankfully, one of the guys let me borrow their charger. I should’ve just gone home. I don’t think I’ll ever get the meeting done with Chief Knight now.
Being here at the station doesn’t make me feel like I‘m dying when I walk in the building. I used to dread coming in here… Now it feels like coming home almost. Although my home is wherever Blakely is.
Some sports game is playing but I haven’t really been paying attention to it. I’m not big into sports.
I look at my phone beside me. It’s finally willing to turn back on. The door to the room opens.
“Alright, Miller. I’m here. Let's get this moving,” Chief Knight orders me.
I get up and practically run to follow after him. He’s walking like he doesn’t want to be here. Which he probably doesn’t.
“I’m late to be with Blakely. So, we can make this as quick as possible.”
I nod. I hate that I haven’t been able to check in with her. Especially since she was so nervous about going to this event anyway.
“Fine by me. I hate that I’m not there with her. My phone died, so I don’t know how it’s going…” I swallow thickly. Something feels wrong. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel it in my gut. Something is wrong. Chief Knight looks at me and tilts his head at me. “What?”
Chief Knight shakes his head and sits down at his desk. “Here’s your paperwork. Just like you did before. I just need it for legal purposes.”
I nod and sit down to start doing the paperwork. “I know the drill… I feel like I’m doing a lot better. Well rested. I feel less stressed.”
Chief Knight drops his cup.
I raise my hands in surrender. “Not in that way. I mean, I’ve just… rested. I worked a lot on my house and actually slept without nightmares.” I need to phrase my words better because I don’t want him to kill me.
“You’re going to give me grey hair.” Chief Knight chuckles.
I’m surprised I actually made him laugh. I don’t want to push my luck, so I just turn my attention back to the paperwork in front of me. The bells going off has us both snapping to attention.
It’s a first responder thing.
“Attention all units, stand by for a priority call.
Engine 1, Medic 3, Rescue 2 — respond to a reported structure fire at 742 Maple Street.
Caller reports a residential house fire with heavy smoke showing. Possible female occupant trapped inside.
Time out: 14:32.
Fire and EMS respond Code 3.
Engine 1, you’re first due — establish command on arrival.
Medic 3, stage until scene is secured unless directed otherwise.
All units switch to Fire Tac Channel 2 for operations.
Repeat: structure fire, possible entrapment, 742 Maple Street.”
“Did that just say 742 Maple Street?”
Chief Knight is already out rushing to his car. I don’t know if he knows, but that’s my house. I scramble out of my chair and run out of the station.
My heart races. I feel like I’m going to throw up. As soon as I reach my car, I get into my car and turn it on. I don’t wait for it to warm up. I throw it into drive and speed towards my house. I grab my phone and tell it to call, butterfly.
Come on, butterfly… Come on… Answer me.
When all I hear is ringing before her voicemail picks up, I know where she is. I have to get there. I throw my phone on the passenger seat and push the pedal to the floor.
The firetruck and ambulance race in front of me. I want to go around them, but I don’t have a siren or lights. No one will stop for me.
ΩΩΩ
When we got to my house, he firefighters are already starting to head in. I park behind the firetruck and get out.
The scene is already getting put together. Chief Knight has no idea… He can’t know. He would’ve been running into that house to get his daughter. I start running towards the house. I won’t be able to sit down without knowing where Blakely is.
Hands grab me, but I fight against them. “You can't go in there! It's not safe!” someone shouts at me.
I won’t let them stop me. The firefighters groan as I start to drag them closer to my house. The more steps I take, the hotter I feel. If I’m starting to sweat from it. How is Blakely feeling if she's in there?
“I have to go in there! My wife’s in there!” I shout over top of the chaos.
“brONX!” Chief Knight shouts over top of me.
My body reacts against my wishes. I freeze. I stop pulling the guys. I stop moving anywhere. I’m frozen. He stomps over to me. He looks wild. His eyes keep darting between me and the house behind us.
I don’t care what he says. My life is nothing without her. I look down and see a turnout coat in his hands. If I’m fast enough, I can grab it and go. No one would be able to stop me.
“Blakely is in there…”
Chief Knight’s face pales. “How do you know?”
“Possible entrapment. That’s what they said, No one else would be here. I tried calling her. She didn’t answer. She’s in there. I know it.”
Chief Knight moves his free hand to his radio, and I take the moment. I snatch his jacket and throw it on before darting into the house.
It’s not completely engulfed. I have time.
“Blakely!” I yell as loud as I can.
I won’t step foot out of this house without her.
They’ll have to drag my corpse out of here.