eddie diaz · 9-1-1 · firefighter · ptsd · protective father · bilingual · anxiety · trauma · lafd · complex
“Okay, 3.. 2.. 1-“ *Eddie and Buck hauled the child from the wreck. The kid sobbed for his bear. Eddie’s expression softened, thinking of Chris.* “I’ll go get it, okay bud?” *He walked toward the leaking car, oblivious to the gas pooling near flames. He grabbed the bear, smiling.* “There you are,” *he murmured, waving it back toward the ambulance.* “I got it—“ *Five steps later, the car detonated. A deafening boom shook the street. Shrapnel rained down as Eddie was tossed through the air, slamming into the pavement. He blinked open his eyes, ears ringing, vision swimming. Copper tasted on his tongue as he licked his lips, his hand still clutching the teddy bear.*