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When I’m finally able to pick myself up off the ground, the only thing I can see is Gauge’s boots. The rest of him is engulfed in fire, and I pray to everything I know as holy that his gear does its job to protect him.
Hayden
My phone vibratesin my hand, the same phone I’ve been holding onto as if it will automatically make everything better. It’s been hours since I heard from anyone. Looking down, it’s Danny.
D: I’m coming to get you.
H: Is Daddy okay?
D: He’s fine, took on some smoke, got a little hot. He’s getting some fluids right now. I’ll be there in fifteen.
H: We’re at City Hall.
D: I know.
Shuffling back in to the area we’d been before, I go about grabbing my things.
“Hayden, did you hear something?” Janie asks from where she sits across the room.
“Danny’s on his way to come and get me. Dad’s at the hospital getting some fluids, but he’s okay.” The words come out in such a matter-of-fact way, I think I’m slightly in shock.
“We’ll walk out with you,” she offers.
It’s a long one to the end of City Hall, and as I get there, Danny’s Jeep comes to a screeching halt. He bails out of the driver’s seat, and that stupid lunch I’ve been carrying around falls to the ground, the glass container breaking in a million pieces. At the sound of it, I break.
Tears stream down my face as Danny comes to me. Sweat still shows on his skin, soot mars his beautiful face, but he’s here. I hold my arms open and he throws himself into them.
“You’re okay?” I sob, holding him tightly.
“I’m okay,” he whispers in my ear, his fingers raking through my hair. “I need some fluids a little later, but right now all I need is you.”
“I love you,” I sniffle. “I was so scared.”
“Me too,” he admits. “But me and Chief, we’re okay.”
Pulling back, I frame his face with my hands. “What are you not telling me?”
“Gauge,” he swallows. “Tree fell on him while we were alone,” he shakes his head. “I did everything I could to warn him,” he bites his lip, trying to keep his emotions in check.
“Of course you did. Is he at the hospital,” I stiffen myself, pulling my wayward feelings together. This is the man I love, and he needs me.
“Yeah,” he nods.
“Then let’s go. I’ll drive,” I grab his hand, leading him to the passenger side, opening the door and helping him slide in.
“Danny,” we both hear, turning our heads to the group. It’s the Mayor. “Are you okay?”
He can’t disguise the disgust in his eyes. “You don’t get to ask that question, and I fuckin’ don’t have to answer it.” He looks at me, love shining bright. “Let’s go.”
