Unfinished chapter 6

        Wesley was sitting in his favorite recliner at the volunteer firehouse, watching the extended edition of The Two towers when a call came in. Immediately refocusing his attention, he rushed to the office. Stacey looked up with a worried look as he entered.
“It’s a residential fire the address is 1005 East Magnolia Lane. A neighbor just reported the fire, they didn’t know if the residents were still inside or not. He said that it looks bad.”  Her face was white as she finished copying down the information. “A mother and her two kids live in the house with her friend.
I know that address, Wesley thought. Slipping out the door quickly his face blanched as he recognized the address. “Stacy, alert everyone who is on duty to report to that address.”  Rushing out the door, he heard the Fire Truck engine revving as he slid down the pole. Looking up, he saw it pulling out of the station and racing off to the scene.  Rushing to his ranger, he grabbed his gear from the back of the truck and quickly dressed. Quickly taking out his cell phone he attempted to call Sarah but the phone went to voice mail. “Sarah, this is Wesley the fire department is on the way.”  He also sent a text message that was the same.
Wesley started his engine and picked up his CB mic. “All volunteer fire fighters code red. 5 alarm fire at 1005 East Magnolia Lane. A mother and her two children may be trapped inside. Everyone report as soon as possible to that address in full gear.” Quickly replacing his mic he pulled out into traffic and raced to the address.
Sweating generously, Sarah rolled over and looked at the alarm clock on her nightstand. Reading 3:00 am she wondered why it was so warm in the house. I really hope the heater isn’t broken again. Sitting up the final haze of sleep was broken as an alarm started blaring. Recognizing it as the fire alarm she threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. Around the corners of the door she saw smoke start billowing into the room. Choking, she moved quickly to the door. Flinging the bedroom door open she cursed as the door knob burned into her flesh. Looking into the hallway at the intense flames creeping up the walls the terror finally sunk in. “Sasha, Colbie, wake up!” she screamed racing for Sasha's room which was closest. She opened the door, gritting her teeth as the burn on her hand protested.
“Mommie it's hot,” Sasha said as she sat up out of bed. “Why hot?” she said as she rubbed her eyes.
Picking up her daughter she said, “We need to get outside baby. I'll explain after we get your brother. Just put you head down on my shoulder and go back asleep. Alright?”
“Yes, mama. We going bye-bye?” she said as she put her face onto Sarah's shoulder and closed her eyes.
Turning quickly around. “Yes baby, let’s go get your brother. Now keep your eyes closed and hold on tight.” Taking a few strides out into the hallway Sarah saw that the fire was quickly engulfing their home. Rushing across the hall she pushed open Colbie's door and saw that he was already pulling on his shoes. “Sweetie we need to get out of the house, now.  As she grabbed his hand she heard a crashing sound. When she turned around she realized a section of the roof had collapsed and had blocked the hallway, trapping them inside her son's room.
At record breaking speeds for his tiny truck, Wesley pulled up to Sarah's house in time to see a large section of the roof to collapse. The fire truck had already arrived and he could see his crew milling around the large vehicle while Frank connected the hose to the hydrant .Parking in the middle of her yard, Wesley jumped out of his truck. “Frank hurry up with that hose, Jim, Davis where are the occupants?” he yelled over the walkie.
“Currently the occupants' location is unknown Wes. We arrived and are setting up. There seems to be an issue with the hydrant that Frank is working on.” Jim replied quickly. Looking across the yard he could see Jim waiving at him from the side of the house.  
“Alright Jim and Davis your with me we are going in, Frank, get that hose set up and have Jose assist. Any questions?” Grabbing his ax from the toolkit in the bed of the truck Wesley rushed up to the front door. The heat from the house was scorching his face as he tried the front door. The door swung open and a blast of heat blew out the front windows of the house.
“Hey Wes, do we know anything about how many occupants reside here?” he heard Davis's voice coming over the walkie.
“There are four; a mother her two children and her roommate. The roommate is visiting family so only the mother and the two children are here. Now, focus! We have to get them out of this house soon or it will come down on our heads!” At the mention of the children both Jim and Davis rushed past Wesley into the house, both men had families and would risk their lives to insure that no children were ever harmed while they were on duty. Quickly following them into the house Wesley saw both men separate Jim went left into the kitchen Davis went right, into the living room. Wesley skipped both rooms and headed back to the bedrooms. He doubted anyone was up this late at night.
He came to the corner bedroom and the door was open. Looking in he could tell that this was either Sarah or her roommate’s bedroom; but it was empty. Looking down the hallway he could see where the section of the roof had collapsed, it had blocked off the next 3 bedrooms from this side of the house.  He could see that the far bedroom and the bedroom on the right side of the hallway had their doors wide open. Most likely, Sarah had woke up and attempted to get the children out but the roof had collapsed.  Without the hose they could not put the fire out quickly. He would not be able to get to the closed door either.
Staring at the wall in front of him Wesley quickly prayed and began swinging his axe. The wall wasn't very thick but it was going to be difficult to get through it without bringing the roof down on his head. Swinging harder he saw the axe break through to the other side. Pulling it back out he put his face to the wall in an attempt to see if they were actually inside the room. He could barely make out the interior of the room because of all the smoke, but he was able to see in the far corner of the room Sarah and the two children. Taking a step back and speaking into his walkie, “Jim, Davis I have found them. Jim go outside and see if Frank has the lines connected. Davis come back here and help me chop through this wall.”
Confusion was layered in their response. “On our way captain.”
“Hefting his axe back into place he began swinging at the wall as a section of the wall collapsed right above him.
Sarah couldn't her eyes as she saw the roof collapse in the hall blocking their way out. Rushing forward she looked into the hallway and the heat made her steps falter. The roof had not only collapsed but now the flame had spread and the hallway was impassable. Pushing the bedroom door closed the heat diminished but now they were trapped in Colbie's room. Colbie had the only room in the house without a window because the night air bothered his allergies. Looking around the room, there was no way out. A ringing coming from the small bookcase drew her attention. It was her cellphone. Reaching for the phone, she was going to call 911 when she saw that she had a text message from Wesley advising the fire department was on the way.
Heading to the wall furthest from the fire she quickly knelt, holding Sasha as close as she could. “Colbie come here, we are going to have to wait for the fire department to get here. “ Colbie quickly ran to her and she could see tears on his face. “Sweetie everything is going to be ok,” she said, “look Wesley is already on his way.” Showing him the message from the phone she wiped away the tears as he coughed quietly. He calmed down a bit and he looked up from the phone.
“I'm sorry for borrowing your phone without asking mom, I was talking to the new girl, Ashlie.”
Surprised by the comment, she shook her head, “its ok maybe later we can invite her over for dinner ok?”
Hugging her tightly, Colbie didn’t respond. Praying that they would be ok her thoughts were interrupted as a loud knocking sound drew her attention to the wall opposite of them. It didn’t sound like the roof was collapsing but it was definitely loud. Staring through the smoke she saw the wall appear to bend outward. Then a crash and something small broke through the surface and she finally could see that it was the head of an axe. “Colbie look,” she said as she pointed to the wall where there was now a hole and a familiar brown eye was looking through.
Wesley was pushing off the last of the debris as Davis finally made it back to the bedroom hallway.  “The hallway is blocked and the fire has spread. They are on the far wall, together,” Wesley said as Davis helped him to his feet. Taking a quick look at the situation Davis began helping Wesley carve a hole in the wall.  Wesley could now see clearly into the room through the basketball sized hole and Sasha and the kids were now standing on the other side waiting for them to get through. When the hole was finally big enough he gave Davis his axe and turned to face Sarah. “Sarah, are you and the kids alright?”
“Yeah, we are fine but we need to get Colbie out quick he has asthma and I don't know how bad this smoke is going to hurt him.” She said as she wiped away the sweat from her forehead.
“Alright, Colbie you first.” Wesley said as he reached through the hole. Coblie looked at his mom who shook her head that it was ok and he ran to the wall.  Pulling him through the whole he looked him in the eyes. “Colbie this is Davis,” he said as he pointed to him. “He is going to make sure that you get out of here safe ok.” Turning to Davis he took his axe back,” Davis get him out of here then wait for me to come out with Sarah and Sasha.”  Wesley could see the indecision in his eyes. Davis finally grabbed Colbie and rushed to the front of the house. Turning back to the  bedroom. “ Sasha your next ok.” As Sarah tried to hand her to Wesley she wrapped her hands around her mom's neck and held on tight.
“No, Momma too.” Sasha said through her tears.
Pulling at her daughter’s arms, “Sasha I am going to be with you the whole time ok, but you need to go to Wesley.” Sasha finally relented her hold and sniffled as she was held up to the whole.
“Hey there,” Wesley said as he pulled her into the hallway, “if your good I will let you play with Crescent after all this is done ok?
“Ok, I’ll be good”
Holding onto Sasha with one arm he put the other through the hole. “Now your turn Sarah. Grab onto my hand and climb.” Gripping his arm she pulled herself up onto the crossbeam and out the other side.