“Move, move, move!” Saundra shouted.

Saundra Summers was one of the older and more experienced firefighter of the small group. Although that didn’t mean she managed to remain completely calm… Her voice alone was loud and stressed. She looked beyond nervous and that was when ignoring the disheveled look of her hair and wild one in her eyes. This was their fifth fire this week and it was only Tuesday.

“Come on people! We’ve got a fire down Dale Mabrey at the Tampa Horse Sales!” She continued to shout as she slipped into her gear and boots, pulling the thick and heavy material over her jeans and shirt with hasty hands. The firefighter suit, draped upon her thin limbs, weighed down on her as Saundra yanked on her boots and hurried over to Big Red. Big Red… what an original name for a fire truck, eh?

Pulling open the rusty door, that’s seen one too many fires during it’s life time, Saundra climbed into the truck and jammed the keys into the ignition, the vehicle roaring to life in response. The sound sent a fresh wave of adrenaline rushing through her veins with the force of a thousand angry bulls.

Steven, Sam, and the other firefighters pilled into the truck with ease. Steven slid into the seat beside her and Sam hopped into the back, but stuck his head up in between their two seats so he could be ‘involved in the conversation’- as he had put it only yesterday- as well. Saundra, Steven, and Sam. The three S’s as the other members of the team usually teased. Mostly due to the fact that the three of them all hung out together, in fact they had grown inseparable; like family but closer.

“How bad is it?” Steve’s voice came from beside her, ever so calm like the soft tune of a lullaby. As if he had somehow gotten used to this after the many years he served here. Saundra however would never get acclimated to it; this feeling of worry and excitement that surged through her veins.

“When we got the call the fire already spread through the sale ring and offices. It’s spreading awfully fast.” Saundra replied, and promptly began to gnaw on her bottom lip with worry as she focused on keeping the over-sized truck on the black asphalt of the worn road, whizzing down the street and sending cars and other vehicles out of the way.

Faster, faster, FASTER! Saundra thought to herself, her mind a one track thing. She was only concerned with getting there and soon.

It was a race. A race against time, something that was most difficult to beat. For as each second ticked merrily by the fire was eating away at someone’s property mercilessly. Perhaps claiming lives as it went. Saundra shivered and grew impatient quickly. Could this truck not move any faster?

Steve was staring at her oddly, the weight of his stare forcing her to glance over at him. It was only then did she realize that she missed what he had just said. Her blank look said it all and Steve sighed and repeated himself. It was a wonder his voice even made it over the frightful sound of the fire truck’s sirens.

“Casualties?”

“None that I know of. Not yet anyway.”

Silence on Steve’s part followed her pessimistic attitude. Sam however could not be forgotten. He almost sounded cheerful, even now. Sam was always happy, the type of person who always claimed that the glass was ‘half-full’. Optimistic.

“Don’t worry. Saundra, relax. No one’s dead, or else they would have told you. Don’t look so morbid.” Sam said, with a small smile.

Saundra loved her friend, but when he was so carefree about stuff like this it made her want to slap some sense into him. Her fingers just tightened around the steering wheel in response; her lips pressed together tightly.

When they were still blocks away Saundra saw the smoke, black against the otherwise peaceful early morning sky. It rose up in thick angry puffs; like that of an ink spill on a beautiful piece of art work. Not only was it clearly visible but Saundra could smell it as well. She wrinkled her nose against the sharp sulfur-tinged air that had become almost common to her. In fact she had gotten her first taste of it at the young age of twelve. Saundra frowned slightly as memories were dragged forward, then one memory in particular was brought to her attention. Sharp as nails and clear as day all these years later.

-Flashback-

Sitting in the woods, everything had been so peaceful. So perfect. The sky was clear and blue, not a cloud in sight, the air smelled of spring and flowers had been blooming everywhere. It was like a paradise in her small town; life was perfect. Saundra sat on a tree stump, the soft sound of pencil on paper filled the space around her as she sketched her surroundings. It was like a hobby of hers. Something she did with spare time to make the minutes pass.

“Sie, ich liebe dich. Blauer himmel immer mehr, meine kostbare ein.”

Saundra hummed the soft tune of a German lullaby that her mother always used to sing to her whenever she felt sad. Instantly it would brighten her day. She loved that lullaby. It spoke of love and happiness, and it sounded beautiful to the ears when spoke aloud. Language had a way of giving things a deeper meaning and here in the silent forest her song seemed to fill the air.

Everything was perfect. Nothing could go wrong. And then she smelled it. Her nose wrinkled in automatic distaste. Smoke.

Curious as to what caused it, Saundra got up, peering left then right. Through the trees she could spot a small orange light.. Flames. She gathered her things quickly and started in the general direction, anxious to know what was burning. As she got closer Saundra noticed that the flames were awfully close to her house. No… They were covering her house. Panic rose like an unrelenting wave inside her chest as she stood there for a second in shock, taking in the scene with her eyes. It didn’t seem real. It seemed like a dream, like it was happening to someone else. Any one else. Anyone but her. But unlike a dream this was real and so were the screams she heard from within the collapsing structure…

-End of Flashback-

That was the day her perfect life had suddenly become not-so-perfect and Saundra learned just how cruel the world was. Her parents died that lovely morning in the fire. It was cruel how one minute you had something, everything, and the next it was gone. They died when she was only half a mile away, and she didn’t even know about the fire until it was too late. Saundra still missed her parents to this day. She figured that feeling would never fade, not ever. Maybe that was why Saundra had suddenly been on a dead-set path to become a firefighter. She wanted to save others from the fate her parents had to endure. From the one she had to endure.

Saundra sighed and focused back on the road ahead of her, pulling the wheel to the side and narrowly avoiding sending the truck up on the curb. She had to focus on the task at hand. Now as not a time for dwelling in the past but staying alert and focused on the here and now, the present.

The scene that met them as Big Red screeched to a halt was worse then anything Saundra could have imagined; she had an active imagination too. The Tampa Horse Stables and Sales Rings had been there for nearly 40 years…it was in no way new. The sound of the fire as it crackled gleefully, engulfing the wooden structures, was deafening. The sound of the screams was louder though, penetrating the thick air.

Saundra hopped out of the truck the second it came to a stop, wasting no time at all. Every millisecond was precious. The moment they were all out and on solid ground, some people crowded around them. Shouting things and making demands, telling Sam that two horses had already been claimed by the furious fire and a third was in critical condition.

Saundra was only half listening to the other people, their voices like an annoying buzz in her ears as she helped Sam unravel the hose and as Steven spoke with the owner quickly. The flames of the fire reflected in her dark eyes as she looked back at the building.

“Saundra! SAUNDRA! Sam!” Steven called from several feet wait, grabbing their attention immediately. Saundra whipped her head around so fast that it almost hurt her neck. She looked at him, eyes wide and questioning.

“There’s a boy. Trapped inside the stables.” Steven said, worry seeping into his calm face as his eyes flickered over to the burning building, Saundra’s eyes following.

Saundra was sure that his expression was mirrored on her face. A boy in the stables? The stables were falling apart. Ears open, she listened, and above the sound of horses and the flames eating away at the wood, she faintly heard the soul-wrenching wailing of a small and obviously very frightened child. Saundra looked back at Steven, tearing her gaze from the building, the section of the hose she had been holding fell from her hands limply.

“Oh. Damn!” Saundra cursed, and proceeded to mutter a strong of loud and un-lady-like profanities from under her breathe as Sam looked at her warily. She was certain her eyes were as wide as orbs. Her heart rate increased into overload as it raced wildly inside her chest. Saundra pulled down her helmet snug over her head and stated running past Steven.

“Saundra?! Where are you going? The building is too unstable, I’ll g…”

“I got this one Steven! Help Sam with the hose!” Saundra shouted to a every shocked Steven before he could finish what he had been saying.

With a final glance at Steven’s anxious expression that lay strewn on his face, Saundra turned her back on him and jogged towards the burning building. Not taking the time to spare a glance over her shoulder, Saundra ran. The air whooshed into her lungs and back out, in long, even, breathes. She had no time to waste, for as each minute slipped through her grasp, the building got closer and closer to falling to pieces where it stood.

As she approached he building the fire roared in her ears, drowning out the terrified screams people and the horses; cries of terror. The only thing the loud flames did not block out as they moved in a forbidden dance was the sound of a small boy crying.

Questions filled Saundra’s head as her ears were plagues by the screams of the small child. Who would leave the boy in the stables alone? And after the fire had started why did no one set out for the boy, even as the fire grew and fed upon the wood. Was it just because no one knew of the small trapped child, or was were a more ominous reason behind it? Saundra shook her head, breathing deeply from under her helmet. No... Now was not the time for questions. Or distractions for that matter. If she wanted to get the boy out before the stables were burned to the ground then she’d have to keep a clear, quick mind.

Not one minute later she stood in front of the flaming building. The flames shot into the sky, wild and uncontrolled, like those of a campfire. The only difference was that a campfire was a heck of a lot more subtle. Saundra reached out and touched the door with a heavily gloved hand. Hot as dying coals from a barbeque.

That is most diffidently not good. Saundra mused quickly to herself, looking stricken. The stables were losing their battle against the fire.

Almost everyone knows what not to do if the door is hot. Don’t open it. Simple fire etiquette. Well, that simple fire etiquette went out the window. Saundra shouldered the door open after two fruitless attempts. The door, having been weakened in the fire, crashed to the ground and sent up sharks of ember. Saundra took a deep breathe as the flames gave a gentle whoosh and gazed into the fiery insides of the large structure that could have been greatly mistaken as Hell. Her dark eyes were scrutinizing and her heart was pounding inside her chest, trying to disconnect itself from her body.

The wails of the young boy somewhere in there though kept her strong. Saundra started in, perfectly aware of the creaking ceiling overhead.

“Hello?! Hey?! Hello?!” Saundra shouted as loud as she could, her voice wafting over the sound of the flames.

For a short moment the screams from the boy ceased, as if he was temporarily shocked that he was to alone anymore.

“Help! Mommy! Moooommmmmyyyy!” The little boy started to shriek in panic, which was soon followed by his terrified screeching screams. Moment of shock, over.

Using the boy’s voice as a guide, Saundra moved quickly through the building, coughing. It was not long before she was looking at the source of everyone’s panic. There he was the boy, crouched in a corner and coughing uncontrollably in-between screams and sobs.

“Hey there! Come here. I’m going to help you!” Saundra coaxed the boy, trying to sound strong and confident; like a hero. Although even hero’s get afraid and nervous every now and then.

The little boy ran right for her, wrapping his arms and legs around her and nearly knocking her to the ground. She didn’t think she ever saw anyone move so quickly. A moment’s relief washed through her, that the boy was, for the most part, alright.

Picking him up Saundra started towards the exit, while muttering soothing words to calm his crying. The ceiling and the roof groaned loudly in overhead in warning and a trickle of worry touched Saundra, that they wouldn’t make it out in time; although she was careful not to show it. Then she spotted the door and it seemed so far away from them. The path to the door seemed to stretch on forever. Saundra sat the boy down, flames roaring loudly around them, and then she pointed to the door mutely, with an encouraging smile that did not reach her eyes. He seemed to know what to do even though she didn’t speak, and he bolted for the door; for freedom.

Come on, kid. Run faster! You can make it! Saundra thought to herself as she hastily followed. Yes! He made it!

No sooner then the boy was outside the door the ceiling gave a final long drawn-out groan. Saundra ran towards the exit, to her escape. She didn’t have time to think because her mind was fogged by panic. Panic for herself mostly. The boy was outside and safe, for that she was relieved, she could already hear Sam fussing over him if she strained her ears.

Thunk!

Saundra heard it more then she felt it. A plank of flaming wood from the rafters fell down hard, landing on her helmet. She yelped out as the heat from it seared her cheek, and the force of it drove her body to collapse on the ground, but she was however mostly undamaged. God bless whoever created the helmet, Saundra was just thankful that her brains were not spilled across the ground. Although, that did not stop the small bloom of panic from flowering inside her chest. Despite the helmet Saundra was slightly dazed, ears ringing, as she struggled to a sitting position only to have her gear weighing her down, becoming the enemy.

Get up! Get up you idiot! Fast! You have to hurry and get out! Saundra scolded herself as she started coughing uncontrollably again.

Although when you think you’re going to die it really puts things into perspective. Coughing? No problem. Searing pain on her face? No big deal. The over-whelming heat that surrounded her? She could handle it. As long as she got out in one piece basically; that was all that mattered.

“Where’s Saundra?”

That was Steven’s voice, she was certain. Although it didn’t sound like him too much. Steven was usually a well of never-ending calmness and patience; which he didn’t sound even remotely close to. He sounded panicked and worried, something that was rare to hear in his voice.

Just then, as Saundra was about to haul herself off the ground, another piece of wood came down. However, it wasn’t on her head this time around, but it fell on her leg. Saundra yelled out; nothing is more painful then a heavy, flaming, chunk of wood falling on your leg. A loud snap was heard, and it wasn’t from the fire or the wood, and a blinding pain came over her. The wood was still burning, and it was on her leg.

Saundra was crying as she tugged on her leg, and kicked at the wood with the other one, trying to get loose. Yes, firefighters weren’t suppose to cry. They were not suppose to panic. They were suppose to be calm and collected; like Steven. Saundra didn’t care though, she couldn’t bring herself to. In that instant Saundra knew of her fate. The door was so close yet so far away; too far away. She was pinned to the ground.

I’m so dead. I’m going to die. This is it. I should be seeing the bright tunnel of light any moment now. I DON’T WANT TO DIE! Saundra thought to herself, some of the few coherent thoughts she was able to form.

Saundra didn’t regret her decision though. Even if she had known what would have happened, Saundra would have done everything the same. The little boy was safe, and that was the important thing. Although, she was disappointed that she’d never go out on that date with Steven, the one they had scheduled to have this coming Saturday. Bummer, huh.

Still, pieces of wood continued to rain down on her, some larger then others. With each was pain and sorrow, and she covered her head with her arms….as if that would help.

Just then Saundra saw Steven’s strong frame in the doorway, peering into the building. Saundra was helpless to do anything more thought-propelling then blink, and Steven’s eyes widened in shocked disbelief seeing her there, pinned and helpless.

“SAUNDRA! GET OUT OF THERE! SAUNDRA!” Steven yelled as he started forward. A huge chunk of flaming wood almost fell on him though, forcing him to jump backwards, just inside the doorway.

The fire crackled mercilessly, sounding gleeful. The building groaned around her, and Steven was dragged backwards by Sam, into safety. The building shuddered as the wood groaned under the strain in a warning almost. It sounded sorrowful, as if it too realized and admitted defeat. Just then the entire structure collapsed with a deafening roar and the world around Saundra was snuffed out, drenching her in a calm, silent, darkness. Just like that, in only a second.

The image of Steven standing there though was what she took with her when the darkness settled over her like cold water. That and a single thought: My parents died in a fire too…

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