Page 64 of From the Embers

Lissa and August—AJ—are already in place, stretching the line charged with water, then Wes and Sam, the probie, have already moved to the interior fire attack position, and things are getting pretty fucking crazy fast.

Ladder 99 crew are already searching for victims and forcing entry on the lower levels, pulling them from the windows, and setting up ladders for residents to escape.

The fire sure as shit took hold fast. I follow Dylan and Marco up the ladder, giving AJ a chin lift as he follows suit. We’re a great team, there’s no denying it. Lissa has been at the firehouse for five years, and she’s one of our best on Ladder 99. Nothing can stop that woman, she’s a storm in a teacup.

When we get to the railing, we climb over one by one. Dark is already directing us, giving us a brief overview. The fire is raging, flames licking up the inside of the building, but that’s not gonna stop us. Visual isn’t the best, but we’re geared up.

“Got two bedrooms in the back fully engulfed,” Dark says, the charged hose line pointed right in the doorway, knocking back the flames.

“Got it,” I say.

“Covering the rescue crew,” he says, Dylan assisting.

I give him a chin lift, then turn the men behind me. “I’ll take the back rooms, you take the front.” Then I radio to JJ. “Rescue entering for primary search, floor seven.”

“Roger that,” JJ says back.

The heat is already starting to affect us, and we’re not even in there yet. It’s fucking raging.

“We got you,” JC says behind me.

I run in, the flames licking all around. I take the first room on the left, kicking the door in. There’s a woman inside, screaming. “I’ve got you,” I say. “Come with me, how many more inside?”

“My kids!” she screams.

“How many?”

“Three.”

I radio to JJ. “Command, Rescue, Mom located, back bedroom, initiating removal. There are three kids still inside.” Then to the mom, I say, “You first. My team will help with the kids.” We get low and I use my body to shield her from the heat and flames.

We race through the house and I don’t see Dylan or JC.

I hand her over to Dark and run back in.

“Denver!” he calls after me, but I keep charging, radioing command again. “Rescue entering back inside, searching for the children.”

Then JC runs by, a small child in his arms, while Dylan is carrying another.

“There’s another kid somewhere,” I yell out.

“Front rooms clear,” JC calls out.

Three kids. She said three.

I run to the room opposite the mom’s and the door is open. Flames engulf the opening and it’s a fucking furness in there. Jesus. If I make it outta here tonight, it’ll be a miracle.

I glance around, searching frantically. “Hey!” I call out. “If you hear me, call out to me!”

Fuck!

“Kid?” I say again. Where are you?

I bend low, then I see sneakers. I duck farther under. “Give me your hand!” I yell, but then I realize the child isn’t moving.

Holy shit.

The smoke inhalation is getting thick. I drag the kid, a girl, out by her ankles and yank her over my shoulder. She has flame red hair, just like Adi. Then I turn and bolt out of the room, staying as low as I can as I try to see through the thick fumes. I’m halfway through the hallway when a beam suddenly falls in front of my path, hitting me in the chest, knocking me sideways. I stumble, unable to keep my footing. The flames are getting higher and higher, the heat unbearable on my skin. The child starts to slip from my arms. No!