We’re en route to a structure fire in Humboldt Park and I’m in my usual spot, sitting across from Roman. Both of us are quiet, the playful banter of our co-workers swirling around us. As Gage takes the truck in a wide turn, my foot shoots out to steady myself and accidentally touches his boot.
“Sorry.”
“No problem,” he murmurs.
I’m ultra conscious of Wozniak watching for any crumbs he can use against us. If it was just a sexy affair, I might not care so much. Roman’s a big boy and he knew what he was getting into. But I’m beginning to wonder if it ever was casual. If we’ve been fooling ourselves all this time.
That night he walked me home after dinner with his family, he said: How about we pretend that’s all it is?
We agreed to lie about our intentions in hooking up. We both knew it felt like more, that saying it means nothing would be merely paying lip service to the notion of a fling. Like we’re so clever and above all that emotional nonsense.
But we’re not—or at least, I’m not.
He agreed to my rules, but I wonder if he knew it was only a matter of time before I fell headlong into him.
Maybe he knew already. Recognized the connection for what it was.
The truck pulls up outside a three-flat and everyone jumps out, all eyes drawn to the gray smoke billowing like a steam engine’s output from a window on the second floor. Two trucks from different stations are already in play, so any rescues are likely done and dusted and we’re probably here to help with venting and fire suppression.
Roman talks to the officer in charge and returns to us.
“They’ve already pulled a grandmother and two kids out. Looks like we’re here to make the pretty flames go bye. Brooks, Simpson, work on the aerial and assess for venting the roof. Acosta, Sullivan, you get us connected to the water. Woz, do a recce around the back. I’ll head in and see where we’re at.”
With affirmations of “yes, LT,” we set off to do our jobs. After opening the hydrant and hooking up, we head inside where Roman meets us.
“No fire on the first floor, but the second is smoky and hot. Let’s advance the line up the stairs and find it.” He eyes me, his gaze all steel but with something different there. I worry it’s already changed between us, that our relationship is placing a weight where none should exist. “You good to go, Sullivan?”
“Yes, Lieutenant.”
Danny and I haul the hose up the stairs while Woz and Roman scout ahead. The hose is heavy as hell, but this is why I work out—to make sure I’m ready when I’m needed. No visible signs of fire greet us, just heavy smoke and sweltering heat. It’s weird not to see any flames but feel like it’s all around us, waiting to announce its arrival.
Roman raises a hand, calling for quiet. “Listen.”
I strain my ears, trying to hear whatever Roman does.
“Don’t hear anything,” Danny says, just as it hits me. An odd, keening sound, low and almost unearthly.
“It’s a whimper, like a pet, maybe? No one said anything about animals.” I can’t hear it now and neither am I sure which direction it came from.
Roman nods at me. “Just wanted verification my ancient ears are still working. Keep looking for the fire, Wozniak. I’ll check on the noise.” He heads off through the smoke, shouting for anyone who might be here to call out.
We follow Woz’s lead. The visibility is becoming worse, the air thicker and hotter.
“Where the fuck is this fire?” Danny asks.
I sniff the air, detecting something else beyond the smoke. Something fishy.
Plastic insulation for burnt wiring often gives off a briny smell. Not so strange, except it reminds me of something I read about during training.
“Maybe it’s in the walls?”
Woz turns to me, putting the clues together quickly and coming to the same conclusion. “You might be onto something, Sullivan. Let’s open her up.”
He means taking a hook to the walls. A slither runs down my spine. “Maybe we should wait for the LT?”
It’s the wrong thing to say. Woz gives me a look that says I shouldn’t have challenged him.
“Don’t think we need to wait for your boyfriend.”
I don’t look at Danny, who had to have heard that crack. Of course, it could be just a typical workplace jibe, given that I’m the only woman on the crew.
But there’s more to it than that. Woz won’t be waiting for Roman. He’s making the call and to hell with it.
Just then Roman comes out of a room near the end of the corridor, and goddamn it if he isn’t carrying Spider Man. Or a little kid dressed like your friendly neighborhood Spider Man.
Could I love this man any more?
Oh.
I really thought that.
Three long, ground-eating strides, and he’s with us.
“Where did he come from?” My voice sounds weird, and while I want to think it’s my mask, I know it’s because of the terrifying knowledge I now possess.
I’m crazy-stupid in love with this amazing man.
“Asleep in the closet. He woke up a second ago but he’s suffering from smoke inhalation.” His tone is angry because the responding crew should have found him, but he’s trying to rein it in so the kid stays calm. It’s not clear why no one reported a missing kid but I expect we’ll get the details of who fucked up and in how many ways later.
That’s when Roman notices Woz poised with the Halligan.
He’s barely asked, “What are you doing?” when Woz takes the all-purpose tool to the wall.
Rip! The blow back is immense and it’s just as I suspected.
Hidden fires look like they’re out or non-working but often in older houses with voids, knee walls, and attics, they are secret killers ready to strike. I didn’t notice any dormers in the roof but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some attic space with deadly flames racing through the rafters.
And this is exactly what’s happening. As soon as Woz vents, the entire hallway erupts. Fire and flame are pouring out of the walls and the ceiling.
Hello, disaster, welcome to the party.
The blast of heat has knocked Woz back, Halligan in hand, and he falls heavily against me, sending me crashing. As I regroup, my first instinct is to check Woz as the person nearest to me.
He’s unconscious.
Worse, a slew of burning debris has crashed from the ceiling separating our crew, me, Woz, and Danny from Roman and the kid. Thankfully, Roman was able to turn and shield himself and the little superhero from the force of that blast.
He shouts through the flames. “Situation assessment!”
I poke at Woz who’s starting to come to. How many times do I need to save this guy’s ass? “Woz, you awake?” I look around for Danny.
“Right here, Abby. Come on!” Danny pulls on Woz and shoulders him under his arm. The guy is heavy, so even though Danny could probably carry him, two people would definitely be better.
But I can’t leave Roman.
A side table in the hallway is now on fire, as is a gallery of framed photos. I stand and knock them off the wall with my Halligan, hoping that’ll help to slow the fire’s progress.
“Danny, get Woz out!” I shout over my shoulder, though he’s already dragging him toward the top of the stair. “Roman, can you get through?”