Page 3 of Aspen Heat
"Well, you're no longer golden, Aspen, and now you have to pay for your sins."
That's a weird thing to say. It's almost as if he was jealous of my short stint as the golden boy of the Black Timber Peak Hot Shots team. For a time, it was as if nothing I did could go wrong. I faced odds no others had faced and came out unscathed, until I didn't.
Now I have large scars on my chest and face to remind me every day of the dangerous job I've chosen. The job still doesn't scare me, but I'm not as fearless as I used to be. It's still my calling and is in my blood as it was for my father and grandfather before me.
"Don't you have somewhere to be, Lassiter?"
He walks close to me, way too close for my comfort.
"Everything always came so easy to you, didn't it? You were the star of the Hot Shot team. Those scars you carry should be a reminder that this is a serious business we're in. This is not fun and games."
"I've never thought firefighting was a game."
"That's not how I saw it. Hopefully, you've learned your lesson."
His gaze holds me steady, but I don't back down. The other people nearby shuffle their feet as if they’re uncomfortable with what is going on. I didn't know Lassiter felt this way about me. Maybe the whole team resents me.
"Brooks, here's that list you've been waiting for." Phoenix says from behind Lassiter.
Lassiter walks away, an angry look on his face.
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing, sir."
"I know you are frustrated, son, but you're right where you need to be right now."
"I need to be out there, sir."
"Fighting the flames is not the only important job there is in our line of work."
"But that's what the Hot Shots team is all about. We take on the most difficult situations when it comes to firefighting."
"You have to learn from your mistakes. This time you only hurt yourself, but next time you could hurt someone from your unit or even worse, a victim. Like I said, you're right where you need to be."
He gives me the keys to one of the station trucks and looks at me with pity in his eyes.
"Be careful out there, that fire is moving fast."
I stand there, watching him go get ready to ride out with the other unit. Jealousy fills me and I'm ashamed of the feeling. I made the right decision, and I saved two lives. That's got to be worth something. I take my list and go get ready.
The ride up the mountain is tricky because of how many areas I need to stay clear from. I decided to start from the top of the mountain, where the fire is raging and go down, stopping at every cabin that's on the side of the mountain.
I can't get to the top of the mountain because that's where the fires are the worst. It's a sad situation at each place I stop. No one wants to leave their homes, believing the fire won't get to them. However, my job is to get them out and I make sure every one of them is sent on their way.
The instructions are to go to the school indoor stadium, where they have a place for the people that are being evacuated. I've only got two more houses to go, so I'm feeling somewhataccomplished. Maybe if I get back in time I can follow and join one of the units in the field.
I stop at a rickety cabin and see the name on my list. Mr. and Mrs. Brownwick. They are in their eighties and I don't see a vehicle in the garage. They might have to come with me down the mountain. Thankfully this pickup has a double-cab and they can sit behind me.
My knock on the door is a bit loud and I chastise myself because of my eagerness to finish my task. I hear words being mumbled inside but it takes them a minute and some to open the door. The man that appears in front of me is old and wrinkled but looks pissed off.
"Mr. Brownwick, I'm Aspen Brooks from the fire department."
"I know who you are. They used to call you the golden boy."
I flinch at that. It's like this in a small town like ours. I shouldn't be surprised.
"The fire is getting close, and you need to evacuate."
