Lights to My Siren by Lani Lynn Vale Page A

on the front porch speaking to James in the dimness of the porch light, turned and looked at me.
    “I need to go. They’re calling in all available personnel to oversee a five-alarm fire. Can you take me?” I asked urgently.
    “You can’t wear that.” He informed me.
    I looked down at the shorts and tank top I was wearing and grimaced. Nevertheless, James solved the problem before I could really get worked up over it. “Shiloh has some of your clothes; jeans and a t-shirt you could wear. Want those?”
    I thought about it for a moment before nodding.
    Ten minutes later, I was giving directions on where to go, and we arrived at a place that was utter chaos.

Chapter 7
    You said quiet. Now we’re fucked.
    -EMS rule number 1
    Sebastian
    I collapsed on the back of the tailgate, only my tired body wouldn’t even hold me up that far. I fell onto my back with a groan. My body felt like it weighed four hundred pounds, with my head being two hundred of it.
    The movement of my body made the truck shift, and Baylee moaned and rolled over from her side to her back, throwing her arm over her eyes to block out the morning light.
    She didn’t wake, however.
    We were both utterly and thoroughly exhausted.
    The fire that Baylee had been called to was enormous, and had evolved fast. What started out as an apartment fire turned into a fire that had taken over nearly the entire block: houses and apartments alike. The source of the fire was yet to be determined, but it looked to have originated from a grill at the very back of the apartment’s property line.
    The scuffle of boots coming towards me had me sitting up, with the upmost reluctance, and coming face to face with an older man that looked to be just as tired as I was. He’d been the one to ask for volunteers, and since I kept my bunker gear in my truck, I’d been more than willing to help in any way I could.
    He’d introduced himself as Captain Allen Shepherd, checked my credentials, overlooked the fact that I wasn’t registered in the State of Texas as a firefighter, and sent me to do my best at containing the fire from spreading to any other neighboring homes.
    I’d lost Baylee in the chaos, as she was immediately treating multiple people for smoke inhalation upon arrival. Her job had been done well over an hour before my own, and I’d seen her take a load off on the truck. Once I’d made sure she was alright, and only sleeping, I came back to my assigned job until the last smoking ember had been extinguished.
    The Captain extended his hand, and I extended my own, giving him a firm shake before dropping it back down to my leg in exhaustion.
    “You look a little worn out there, young man.” The Captain observed.
    “Long day and really long night. I’m not as young as I used to be.” I agreed.
    The Captain acknowledged that with a nod of his own. “I understand what you mean. Mind if I take a seat?” He asked, indicating the empty tailgate beside me.
    “Of course. Just kick her feet over. She’s dead to the world.” I joked.
    The Captain laughed. I moved Baylee’s extended legs onto my lap, and made room for Allen to take a seat.
    “You did a fine job tonight. I just wanted to say thank you for all your help. How long have you been in the fire service?” He asked conversationally.
    “A while. I started in the Marines as a firefighter when I was nineteen. Been doing that in some way, shape, form, or fashion for going on fifteen years now.” I explained.
    Allen nodded. “Sounds like me, only I went Army. Slowed down a lot about a year ago. Had a heart attack that made me get my head out of my butt and take better care of myself.”
    “Heart attacks are the main cause of firefighter’s deaths each year. You may be as healthy as an ox, but still be dropped down low from one due to the stress of the job.” I told him.
    “Yes, that’s what I heard from my doctor. I still hear it from my Linnie every day, too.” He chuckled. “You don’t happen to need a