Page 22 of Keep Me Safe

“Well, I wonder who’s going to replace him as commissioner.”

“I have no clue. Al is a great boss. I don’t know anyone that could fill those shoes.”

“I think you could, but you’d have to admit that first,” he deadpans.

Before I can respond, a voice barks over the intercom.

“Fire spotted at 479 North Grace Street, possible victims trapped inside.”

Dave and I break into action, racing down to the garage. I pull on my suit and climb into the truck. Dave hoists himself up, joining me in the passenger seat. The rest of the guys file in the back. As the garage door opens, the flashing lights reflect off the windows. We pull out onto the street, sirens blaring.

“Update: there is known to be a child still in the home. The fire seems to have started in the basement.”

I glance over at Dave, his face hardening. Pressing on the gas, I maneuver the truck through traffic. We’re only about a minute or two out, but some cars refuse to get out of the way. Nothing pisses me off more than when people don’t pull over for us. Is your destination really more important than someone’s life?

When we pull up, the house is engulfed in black smoke, flames licking at the sides. As soon as we’re parked, I jump out. Running toward the house, a panicked woman approaches me.

“Please, we can’t find our son!”

“I’ll find him, don’t worry. What’s his name?”

“Brendan, he’s only five!”

My stomach drops.

I turn to Dave, “Call for backup and get the hose ready. I’m going to go get the kid.”

The front door is wide open, smoke heavily flowing out of it. I push through, scanning my surroundings. The fire has started migrating from the basement, turning the walls black. What looks like the living room to my right is almost totally consumed.

“Brendan, are you in here? I’m here to help!”

I’m finding this kid, and he’s going to be okay. There’s no other option. I’m not losing another kid.

Not seeing anyone on this level, I climb up the stairs and call out again. Searching each room one by one, I realize they’re all empty. Suddenly, I hear a cry off to my left. The smoke makes it almost impossible to see more than a couple of feet before me, but I see him. He’s crouched in the corner of the last bedroom.

“I’m here, Brendan, don’t worry!”

I rush over to him, scooping him into my arms. His eyes are tear-soaked and terrified.

“It’s okay, buddy, I’ve got you.”

I start back down the stairs. The blaze has gotten worse. When I reach the end of the steps, I notice the flames almost wholly blocking the front door. Debris plummets from the ceiling in front of us. We need to get out now. Pulling him tight to my chest, I move to the back of the house, hoping to find another door. Relief floods me when I see one. The knob won’t turn, and the lock is broken. Stepping back, I slam my heel intoit, knocking it off its hinges. Finally outside, I look down at Brendan, checking him over.

“Are you okay?”

He just cries, shaking his head.

When I round the house, I hear a scream come from his mother. She runs up to me, gasping for air.

“Brendan, oh my god, are you okay?”

“I’m going to bring him to EMS so they can check him over to be sure, but he seems to be alright.” She’s on my heels as I take him to the ambulance.

“He looks okay, but we’re still going to take him in to be sure,” the paramedic says.

I let out a breath. Thank god. His parents climb into the truck with him as they leave for the hospital. We get to work on putting out the flames. It takes us a while, but we get it done. The home is a shell of what it once was. This isn’t going to be easy for the family, but at least they all made it out. I shudder at that.

“Hey, are you doing okay?” Dave asks me.

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