Page 9 of Between the Stacks

A flash of recognition and understanding filled his winter-gray eyes before he nodded. “Walk with me, gentlemen.”

It wasn’t until we stepped into his home that he spun around to face us. Bits of soot and ash speckled his face. The exhaustion marring his features gave me pause. It was well into the early morning hours when I glanced at the grandfather clock next to the staircase.Shitmaybe we should have waited. “I didn’t realize how late it is.”

“Trust me,” August said, “none of the staff will be sleeping tonight. It appears we’re all on chaperone shifts for the foreseeable future, watching over the students after they’ve moved to the gym.”

I frowned. That didn’t sound fun or healthy for anyone concerned. I understood it might take a while for the college to find appropriate housing accommodations for the displaced students, but the gym seemed a bit like camp and less like home. Or normal like a dorm room would. “Not exactly fun.”

“No, not at all.” August sighed, rubbing his temples. “So, tell me what this plan is.”

“We set up a donation link on our cam site,” Cole said. “We were wondering if you’d do something with us, to help raise money for the students.”

August stared at us. Surprise filled his features. “Me? You have a passel of people from the company you can choose from, but you chose me?” He tilted his head. “Why?”

“We’re part of the school. I know it’s been difficult to do your work for Behind the Lens, but you could wear one of your signature masks and our fans—yours and ours—could tell us what to do or whatever.” I shrugged. “I know it sounds stupid, but we also know one of the students—probably more, but one in particular who looked really sick when we saw her.”

August frowned, pulling off his glasses before rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Who is the student?”

“Lyra,” Cole answered. “We don’t know her last name.”

“She’s cute and shy, but will help most everyone in class given half the chance. She’s not from here either. So, I doubt she has family that could help her if she called,” I added.

“The housing committee and the Dean of Students are coming up with a plan. I’ll have a meeting with them by morning. You find out the rest of the information on Lyra, and I’ll see what I can do. As for the other… Lorna selected me for the first annual calendar shoot. I’ve been given February. All I need is a national holiday–and not Valentine’s Day. I’ll see what’s still available for the month and if it’s something we can work with, you’ve got yourself a deal. Only we’re doing a full feature, boys and the photo shoot together. No cam for me. I’m too old for that shit.”

“Fuck yes,” I said. “We’ve wanted to do a feature but weren’t sure how to go about doing it. This will be perfect.”

“Don’t go getting ahead of yourselves. Like I said,” August stated, “I have to speak with Lorna first about my idea.”

“Right.” Cole nodded. “I—we understand. Thanks, Lowe.”

August opened the front door of his house. “I’ll keep you posted. Now, get out of here. In a few hours, this place is going to be ground zero for the press, concerned parents and investigators.”

“If you need anything for the students before then,” I said, heading down the stairs to the small wrought-iron gate, “let us know. I’m serious. We want to help.”

“I’ll let the appropriate people know. I have your number, so I’ll give it to them.” He lifted his hand as we exited his front yard.

“Later, Professor.” Cole gave a last wave as we exited the area and went back to the truck. “This is going to be fucking epic.”

“I can’t wait.”

August

A dorm burningto the ground wasn’t on my bingo card. Nor was the idea of housing a student in my home for the rest of the semester, but here we were. The meeting for staff and professors had started well over an hour ago and the first bomb they laid at our feet was the idea of allowing one student to stay in each of the professors’ houses. Obviously, those with families were excluded, but everyone else had to open their homes.

I couldn’t say how I felt about the situation. To be honest, the house I lived in was three stories and had five bedrooms available. If need be, they could assign two students. I also doubted my tenure would be approved if I declined to take part. Then again, I didn’t need the tenure. I had a lucrative side hustle with Behind the Lens. I could always quit and film more movies.

“Dr. Barlowe,” Moira said, grabbing my attention. “Are you willing to open your home to a student for the time being?”

“Yes,” I replied. “Of course. We’re all in this together.”

“Perfect,” Moira stated. “By this afternoon you’ll receive links to the system we’ll be using to accept applications. We’d prefer students find housing within their programs, but right now, that might not happen. When you receive an application, the email will link you to their answers and a step by step guide to make an offer to the student who fits your profile.”

I cleared my throat. “Do we know how many students are still in the hospital as of this morning?”

Moira frowned. “Three. It appears one had a severe reaction to the smoke—we hadn’t even realized she was having an allergic reaction until the ER doctor on duty called us this morning. Two others have second and third degree burns that are being cared for in Fresno at a level one trauma and burn center. As for the firefighters who were injured, one died due to their injuries. Two sustained life-threatening injuries and are in Fresno as well in critical condition. While two others are recovering at home with a few broken ribs and an arm.”

A shocked gasp sucked the life out of the room. The totality of the situation grabbed me by the stomach. Seeing the ruined remains at night did nothing to prepare me for the actual toll of the blaze. I sat there in stunned silence, worried about the students. Firefighters knew the risks when they went into a building, students however… “Do we have any more information on what happened?”

The committee members frowned. “The RA set the fire. When the side of the building came down, he confessed. The sprinkler system was also temporarily out of order due to a purge of the system. In other words, routine maintenance.”

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