Page 13 of Burn Protocol

Of course she did. I don’t even bother to look at her while I toss her my spare one from my locker.

“On, now.”

I pull the suspenders over my shoulders and tighten the waist. Then I throw on my jacket and snatch my helmet and gloves. I turn around to see Maya still fidgeting with the zipper on her coat.

There is no time.

My hand wraps around her bicep and I pull her with me.

“Zip up in the truck, we have to move.”

I basically shove her inside Engine 2 and hop in after her. Rodriques hands me the tablet from the front seat as Fernandes pulls the door shut. The sirens blare before we’re even out of the bay.

While I go over the blueprints of the building, I can feel Maya’s eyes on me. Not now. I study the exits and entrances and memorize each hallway by heart. The building is old. Not safe, not practical. It’s a good thing there are no entrapments.

Rodriques takes a hard left and we all shift in our seats. I hear Maya’s soft gasp and can’t help but smile at that. Cute.

Then I berate myself for losing focus.

I look at the layout of the street and see that we don’t have much advantage. Of course it’s small. If Ladder 1 is needed, our truck has to make room. Best to go in with a strategy.

“Rodriques, park off to the left, leave room for Ladder 1.”

“Yes, lieutenant.”

“ETA?”

“About forty seconds.”

The crew shifts in their seats, coiled with adrenaline and ready for action. Their jaws are set tight, and their eyes razor-sharp. The only one out of place is her. Maya. She leans heavily into her seat, white as a sheet.

“Maya, I need you to stay in the truck.”

“Wha… what?” She stammers.

“Sit in the doorway, observe, but stay inside the truck.”

She nods once, doesn’t ask why. Good. I can’t have her running around while I’m battling fire. If she stays, at least I know she’ll be safe.

The truck comes to a screeching halt and Fernandes has already yanked open the door. We all move instantly. My eyes are on the building before anything else. Thick black smoke pours from the second-floor window. Flames lick the sides of it. The rest seems to be unaffected, for now. A man wrapped in a tin-foil blanket stands shivering at the side.

“You the occupant?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Did everyone get out?”

“No, no… Baltizar is still inside.”

My heart speeds up and I glance over my shoulder at the building. I really don’t want to enter if I don’t have to.

“Baltizar?”

“Yes, my cat. Please, please save him.”

I grunt and then nod at him once, while reaching for my radio.

“77 Carrer de Pavia, small residential structure fire, one animal on second floor. Engine 2 initiating attack and rescue.”