nick.

For the first six hours on shift there were no calls. It was almost as if the whole city of Chicago was fast asleep. That hardly ever happened. The fireman and paramedics of firehouse 51 were enjoying a nice uninterrupted meal. It was taco night and every one enjoyed it as usual. As luck would have it clean up began and the very familiar alarm went off throughout the house. Nick BOLTED up from his seat and headed for the rig, getting in the passenger’s seat. They were heading towards a fire that had started at the University of Chicago’s Theater. It wasn’t that far and before they knew it they were pulling up behind Truck 81. Nick could tell the fire was FAIRLY large so they started to triage people that needed it. Nick was helping a young woman when the squad lieutenant brought over a short male. But it wasn’t just any other short male. Nick was in shock, it was Blaine. His best friend from when he went to school in Ohio. “Blaine, oh my gosh. Take a seat.” He said, QUICKLY grabbing a mask. The other had blackness under his nose so Nick knew he would have to be looked at. 

Comedy of Errors.  Who would have thought the title of the play would end up half right if taken literally?  A string of errors from too old lighting and a rewire mishap that ended up not so comedic.  The entire stage and backstage of the area were filled with smoke that soon ballooned in a pitch black cloud filled with shouts of students making sure everyone exited the building and no one was left behind.  The doors had been slung open, faculty and staff poured out but it was the few left behind when the smoke became too thick to see that were lost and trying to navigate getting out by memory only.  An easier said than done task since panic overrode common sense.  Blaine’s hand held tight to a girl’s who he barely talked to as they crawled along the floor in the direction of what he was sure this time was the way out.  You’ll never know how happy you can be when you hear a sound like Darth Vader coming at you and a thickly gloved hand closes on your arm a second later until you realize that you really aren’t that sure after all.  Oh thank God..

The air outside tasted awful thanks to the flavor in his mouth Blaine was sure he’d never get out. But they were safe and he was being taken somewhere, coughing but alive and unharmed save a few bruises scrapes thanks to bolted down seats and rough corners. His body slumped forward as soon as he sat down but his attention zipped up as soon as he realized someone said his name..  No way?  Did he hit his head?  His voice was confused and gravelly but he couldn’t believe his eyes, “..Nicky?”