Page 7 of Between the Stacks

The ground rumbled under my feet while beeping filled the air. The ear-splitting sound of chirping blanketed the area. A plume of smoke billowed from the spot where the building stood only a short while ago. Followed by an incredible blast of heat engulfing us seconds before a dark rolling fire cloud along with embers filled the night sky. The chatter on the radio clipped to the paramedic with me and the EMT beside him began to call out names. I glanced over at where the building stood and gasped at what I saw. Then promptly doubled over in a coughing fit from hell.

Half the building was gone, and I couldn’t catch my breath for the life of me.

The fire couldn’t have been started by a lazy student and a dry cup of noodles.

Could it?

“Easy,” the paramedic said. “You got the machines going haywire. Breathe with me so we can get you stabilized.”

Again, I muttered, “Sorry,” and took a ragged breath. “Shouldn’t you be over there helping the other guys out?” I flicked my gaze back to the angry, broken dorm. Fire writhed and crawled out from the collapsed portion and slithered across the fresh material available to feed the obnoxious beast.

“Too many firefighters on the pile and no one will make it out. It’s better I do my job with you first, then hit the stack. Besides, the crews are already on it,” he said, lifting his chin for me to look.

Sure enough, the firefighters had fanned out. Those not actively dousing the place with water pulled burned debris from the pile, searching for anyone who hadn’t made it out before the collapse. Two more ambulances pulled up on the scene, parking near where I sat. Moments later, the doors opened and the EMTsinside jumped out, ready to help. “This isn’t how I saw my first year of college going.”

The paramedic chuckled. “I felt that statement to my soul. My first week at the Fire Academy, we had to run the outdoor stairs of the library. Talk about embarrassing. I puked on the way up and the way down.”

I glimpsed a scene like he described, minus the vomit, a few days ago. Students, mostly female, gathered around the ellipse near the library, with their phones out, videoing the recruits making the brutal climb. Eight stories up and eight stories down. Twice. There were relay races too, so each cadet had moments to catch their breath before they started again. “Vicious.”

He nodded. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“How long have you been a paramedic?” I asked, trying to take my mind off what was happening in the distance.

“Four years,” he replied. “Best years of my life, too. What about you? What are you studying?”

The longer we talked, the more my heart settled into a normal rate and my breath came a little easier, even if it stung a little. “Not sure. Depending on what happens next, I might have to go home.” As much as I loathed to contemplate the reality of my situation, I couldn’t escape the direction I was being pointed toward.

“Here’s a little secret for you. The easiest way to look for housing, if you decide to stay,” he stated, putting his things back into his bag, “is to check out the school housing chat. It was how we knew when spaces became available, when we needed out of our assigned dorms. I have no doubt you’ll have a place to lay your head before the sun comes up.”

Hope bloomed in my chest, but I kept my expectation tempered. Just because he said he knew people didn’t mean he did. Or that they’d take someone like me.

Let’s face it. I wasn’t sorority material. I didn’t wear triple negative zero clothes, either. I was curvy. Had thick thighs and ass for days. My mom said it was due to all the work I did out in the barn during the day and sometimes at night. I was sure I’d gotten her genes. No matter what I did, I’d never be skinny or below a size twelve. So, I accepted my body the way it was.

Most of the time.

“Oh, yeah? Do you have a link?” I hated how eager I sounded, though considering the alternative...

“There’s a Facebook private group. Bet the place is thriving right now. Join the group then add the chat.” He held his hand out. I stared at him for a moment then realized what he wanted. I grabbed my phone and unlocked it before handing it to him. Within a few seconds he had me all signed up for the group and placed in the chat.

He wasn’t kidding. My phone dinged every three seconds with new messages, mostly other dorms trying to find out what happened. Some of the students out in the parking lot like me begged for rooms to stay in.

“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll keep looking through the group.”

“You’re welcome, Lyra. I guess we’ll see each other around.” With a wave the paramedic disappeared into the cloud of acrid smoke and the throng of people.

“Your vitals are still a little wonky,” the EMT said. “I recommend going to the hospital to get checked out. We can take you.”

I shook my head. “No thanks. I’m fine. A little dazed by everything, but I’ll be okay. I’d rather you take someone who really needs the ride. Like one of those firefighters or a student who inhaled too much smoke.”

The EMT stared at me. “I don’t think you’ve seen how bad you look yourself.”

I frowned. Maybe not, but I didn’t need a hospital. I needed somewhere to take a shower and get some sleep even though I knew I probably wouldn’t get any tonight. “My throat is a little sore, and my eyes burn along with my lungs, but I have a smoke allergy. So my symptoms are to be expected. It’s no biggie, honestly.”

“Promise you’ll come find us if your status changes?” the EMT said, handing me a clipboard.

“What’s this?” I asked, deflecting her question with a question.

“An AMA form. Just says that you’re refusing transport to the hospital against recommendation, and you understand should something happen later, we’re not responsible for your refusal.”

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