Page 12 of Redwood Blaze
He continues, “And when it comes to Millie, I’ll call you back when I know more, too.”
“Okay, I’ll stay by the phone.”
The com crackles.
“Firehawk four to base. BTP base, do you read?”
I lift the com. “BTP base, go ahead Firehawk four.”
“Something’s really wrong over at Firehawk three. I think it’s… yeah, it’s on fucking fire!”
Well, there goes staying put.
SIX
MILLIE
I haveto really give it the old shoulder push to get the door open, but when I do something with four legs runs out between my legs. I do a fancy jig, and a shiver runs down my spine. I pull out my phone and use it as a flashlight but not before noticing six unread messages.
Six? Weird.
I don’t stop to read them, searching my bag for my flashlight or small lantern to make this place more inhabitable. I find the lantern first and get it started. The room brightens with an eerie sepia-tinged glow. Even with how small the place is, every corner is blacker than the next. This is definitely not going to be a hard-sleep night. But I’m used to going fifty to seventy-two hours of no sleep when fighting fires, so lack of sleep isn’t new to me.
I go back out the truck and grab my war bag. It’s just habit to take it out of my truck. It’s got all essential items for an extended stay assignment when out in the woods.
I still. My heart ticks faster in my chest.
No, you’re just imagining it.
I blow out a long breath and when I inhale again, it’s unmistakable.
Smoke.
I think back. Tower six reported that small smoke coming from a peak and then our problem child peak three, but I’m near tower four. Both of those are miles away.
I pull out the SAT phone and dial the office phone.
“Rusty here.”
“Rusty, it’s Millie.”
“Where the hell are you?” I hear metal chair legs scrape the floor and that’s not Rusty’s normal calm, cool, collected self.
“I’m where I told Cole I’d be.”
“And where is that?”
“Rusty, what’s wrong?”
“Lookout tower three is on fire. I was on the coms with Trav when I heard what I think was a gunshot and then Firehawk tower four called in that tower three is on fire.”
“What? Gunshot? And a fire on a tower?” My brain is not comprehending what he’s saying.
Sure, it’s dangerous out there, but never guns and it’s never great when a fire starts on the ground, but for one to start in the treetops. That usually only happens with lightning.
“Have you called?—”
“Sheriff Dunning, yes, and he’s sending someone to tower three but now we need to get out there.”
