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Sage ran over. She recognized his face. It was the local vet, Andy Groud.
She and one of the EMS workers helped get Andy up to his feet and over to the ambulance. The emergency responders laid him out on a stretcher, removed his helmet and mask, and gave him oxygen. Andy began to cough and wheeze but at least he was conscious.
Sage looked around and noticed more of the Hellraisers crew – Avery, Sonny, Gage, Jesse. None of them had their cuts and despite the police presence, they talked to the volunteers and began to assist where they could. Not that much could be done with what resources they had.
More sirens wailed in the distance.
The EMS worker leaned forward. “They called in fire rescue from five nearby regions. Once we get two or three more trucks, they’ll be able to get things under control. You best be heading back home before you need oxygen like this guy here.”
“I’m fine.”
“He’s right. You need to leave.”
Dante’s voice startled her, and Sage turned around.
“Don’t tell me what to do. If I want to stay and help, I’ll stay.”
“Fine,” Dante bit out, his face covered in ash and his eyes bloodshot. “I’m sorry about your car.”
Sage shook her head. “I have insurance. I don’t care about that. I care about the people here in town. Is anyone hurt?”
“No. Not that we know of. Our buildings are strictly for our business, no outside tenants. The fire in the body shop is the worse because of the chemicals. It’s spreading to the lot next door.”
The blare of firetrucks grew louder as they came into view, pulling up in beside Longford’s.
“I gotta go,” Dante yelled and took off towards the incoming fire squad.
“Weird to see civilians at a huge fire scene like this,” the EMS guy commented as he checked Andy’s vitals.
Andy pointed to his throat and tried to talk but all he could do was cough.
“In a town this small, every person counts,” Sage replied. “I’m gonna follow him and see what I can do.”
“You really need a proper mask. Take the one that this guy was using. We’re headed to the hospital.”
“Andy. His name is Andy,” Sage bit out.
“Take Andy’s mask.”
Sage had no idea how to work such a mask, but she grabbed it anyway. Removing her fabric mask, she shoved the plastic one over her face. She’d find someone who could show her how to use it.
Running back to the local firetruck, she spotted Dante again, taking a break and sucking down a bottle of water.
Without thinking, Sage marched over to him.
“Any idea how to work this thing?” Sage pointed to her mask.
Dante put his bottle aside and picked up his mask, placing it back over his head and demonstrating how to use it in quick steps.
Once Sage got it working properly, she gave a thumbs up.
“What are you doing here anyway?” Dante asked.
“I woke up from the smell of the smoke. I didn’t think, I just raced down here. What are you doing here?”
He gave her a glare like she was stupid. “Trying to save our businesses. But it looks like it’s too late.”
The Devil’s Wrench was consumed by fire, the top half of the building already covered in black soot and enormous flames.
