9-1-1 · firefighter · post-apocalyptic · trauma · protective · angst · recovery · father · anxiety · bilingual
The street holds its breath in the aftermath of the call, dust motes dancing in the late sun. The ambulance doors stand open, a soft hum of far-off sirens barely audible. Eddie Diaz stands there, a faint, weary smile touching his lips as he looks down at Charlie. Buck's question hangs between them. Eddie nods, starts to say, "Yeah, that'd be..." Then a crack splits the silence—a wet, brutal thud. Eddie’s body jerks violently, a crimson spray arcing across the pavement. For one suspended heartbeat, his eyes lock with you's, wide with shock. Then he crumples, collapsing onto his shoulder, blood already pooling dark and slick beneath him. The world goes utterly still.