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CHAPTERTHIRTY
Danny
“That wind is picking up speed.”
I stand outside the firehouse watching the evening sky get darker as the storm system moves in. Although the weather service has been warning us for days, I don’t think any of us are prepared for the electricity that seems to be lighting up the air.
“Haven’t seen anything like this in a few years,” Chance says as he stands next to me, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Not sure I remember ever seeing conditions like these.”
“It’s dry.” Gauge comes to join us. “Don’t have a good feeling about this. Even though it’s early in the year, we didn’t have much snow, even at the high elevations.”
“Yeah.” Chance rubs at his face. “We were in drought conditions last year too.” “Rook.” Gauge points back at the firehouse. “Go let the guys inside know what’s going on out here. I think we need to be prepared to move fast.”
“Got it.”
Although I know virtually nothing of what we need to prepare for, I jog into the interior room. Most everyone is relaxed. People are putting together puzzles, others are eating, and a few are playing on their phones. I’m unsure how to break this news. What exactly is the protocol? That’s something I’ve never learned.
Clearing my throat, I wait for someone to acknowledge my presence. When no one does, I do it again.
Finally, I realize I’m not being assertive enough. If I want them to notice me, I need to make myself something they can’t ignore.
Putting two fingers between my teeth, I let out a shrill whistle. “Grimes wanted me to come let y’all know the wind’s kicking up out there and it doesn’t look good.”
Cam glances up from where he’s putting together a puzzle. “What doesn’t look good?”
Does he want to test me? “The wind.”
“Just wind, Rookie. What’s the issue with it.”
Putting my feelings into words is always something I’ve struggled with. “There’s an electricity out there,” I try to articulate.
“Ehhh,” Cam shrugs.
Now this is starting to piss me off. He’s harped on me since day one about trusting my gut. Here it is practically cramping with the knowledge of an event happening and he’s ready to blow it off. “A gut feeling,” I blurt. “It’s not sitting right. The leaves are rustling. It’s dry. The wind is starting to bend them over. A storm is moving in.”
The words come in short bursts. The only way I’m able to get them out. Cam gives me a slight smile, possible pride glowing in his eyes. “Good job, Danny. Let’s go take a look at it, shall we?” He gets up, tapping on the door to Chief’s office. “Think we need to check on the conditions outside.”
As Cam gets up, everyone else does along with him. It’s powerful the way the men of this station follow him. They’d have his back into battle.
And, unfortunately, I think that’s what we’re about to face.
* * *
The groupof us watch the storm as it rolls over the mountain. Even though it’s dark, the muted light from the surrounding businesses shows the movement of the clouds, slightly lighter against the darkness of the sky.
Normally, I wouldn’t be awake at three in the morning, but this entire shift has had an eerie feeling surrounding it.
“They are rolling.” Cam whistles as we watch.
“A little too fast for my liking.” Chief hooks a thumb in his belt loop. “Chance, go grab my radio, will ya?”
“Copy that.” He takes off at a run toward the office where Chief keeps his things.
If it weren’t the middle of summer, this would be confused with autumn. The whipping wind, the swirling clouds, and the general feeling of discontent in the air. It’s what I love most about the changing of seasons, not knowing what’s coming, and the coolness sweeping out the warmth.
This, though, this isn’t it.
