The Fire and the Flame
Kyle sat and stared at the words on the screen. As his thumb hovered over the send button he took a deep breath and held one last debate in his head. He had planned this for weeks and the time was finally here. He was going to be in trouble either way. He was too far to make it home before dark and his lie of being at the neighbors would soon evaporate as well. So with only a slight hesitation he mashed his thumb down sending the message on its way and along with it he was sending a father into a night of hell. He then turned his phone off and shoved it in his back pocket and began to enjoy the Chicago night that surrounded him.
Matt Casey stood up and stretched. He had nearly dozed off at the table as he went over some plans for a construction job he was considering putting a bid on. It wasn't that big but was worth the effort and he could stand to make some nice pocket change that the family could really use. Kyle wanted a new baseball bat for the upcoming season and then after that would be new soccer cleats and then the grand poohbah of sports expenses would be new hockey gear. Plus his school tuition always seemed to be due. He looked out the window to see that it was nearly dark and hoped his expense incurring son had come home while he was in his mild stupor. But before he could call out to him his phone chimed announcing an incoming text. He picked up the phone and was happy to see it was from his son but the message he saw at first confused him, then it terrified him.
"What's wrong babe?" Gabby asked noticing the look on Matt's face as she came into the room and set a glass in the sink.
Matt had already pressed the phone icon in an effort to reach his son and demand an explanation as to not only what his message meant but also to his whereabouts as he was now officially late.
"Dammit, straight to voice mail." Gabby looked over questioningly. "Kyle sent me this cryptic message and he's late and his phone seems to be off."
"Let me try," she said pulling her phone out from her pocket.
"If his phone is off then it won't matter who calls him." Matt snapped.
"I know, but sometimes there's a glitch or something," she said as her call went straight to voicemail. "What's the message?" She asked.
"It says, 'I'll be fine. Don't worry.'"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Gabby wondered out loud.
"I have no idea." Matt said as he moved to the front door and looked up and down the block. "I really don't even know if he sent this message. I mean, anybody could have used his phone. Where the hell is he?"
"He said he was going to Danny's." She explained speaking of the boy who lived one block over.
"Yeah, but it's sunset and I know they have already started their Sabbath routine. There is no way he's still there. And he knows he is supposed be home by dark. I'm going to walk down there and see what time he left or if he even showed up at all."
"The message was probably for someone else and he'll be home in a minute." Gabby said.
Except it wasn't and he wouldn't be.
Kyle stood in front of the Children's Museum and stared at his reflection, a reflection that looked much like his father, same blue eyes and golden brown hair. He stood and recounted the many days he had spent there with his father and the many more days he had spent there with Kelly Severide, his godfather and surrogate uncle. Even when his mother and father had been together Matt had always been his primary care giver. His mother had always been studying or working. Having Kelly in his life helped ease her absence. Now she was gone for good and despite her career oriented ways he still missed her presence. Her death had been sudden and unexpected. Kyle had always hoped that one day her demanding schedule would release her allowing her to become the mother that he had wanted her to be.
The truth of her death was part of the reason for what was happening this night, which along with a recent near death experience and a now iconic picture had pushed Kyle over the edge. It had been brewing for years, it was only now that he had a plan he was old enough to put into place. It had all come to a head a few weeks ago and there was no way he was going to just pretend it never happened. Something his father was very good at.
Within two hours after Matt got the strange text from his son, the entire shift was standing in his living room along with Antonio and even Hank Voight. "Who called him?" Matt asked his chin jutting out towards the Sergeant.
"I did," Antonio replied. "I know you two have a history, but the man is good at his job. I think you are well aware of that. You want him on the team."
Matt knew his brother-in-law was right but it still irked him. Chief Boden was sending the guys out in different directions to cover as much as the city as they could. He then assured his lieutenant that they would find Kyle. "He might be your son, but he's our boy too," the Chief stated before he turned and walked out the front door.
"Patrol has his picture and is actively looking as well. We'll find him Matt. I think he's up to something and he has some kind of evil plan to make you crawl out of your skin. I know you've been through a lot, that he's been through a lot. But that doesn't mean we aren't taking this seriously." Antonio promised.
"Thanks Antonio," Matt said with a nod as Gabby walked her brother to the door.
"I think Antonio is right. I think he's being a little shit and is doing this just to totally freak you out. And me as well," Kelly said with a sigh. Matt managed another nod, his eyes tearing up. "Hey, we'll find him or what I think is that once it starts to get late and businesses close, he'll decide this isn't fun anymore and he'll come home. And when he does you need to blister his butt and if you don't I will."
"Yeah," Matt said as he pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to rein in his emotions.
"Alright, I'm heading out. I'm going to check out Lincoln Park. Keep your phone close." Kelly stated.
"In my hands at all times." Matt replied.
It was getting late and the Pier was closing. Kyle needed to move on and find somewhere else to hangout. He figured he could work his way into the nearby movie theater that had late showing. As he walked he reflected back to the event that pushed him to make this night happen. It had started just like every other day, with his dad barking at him hurry up and taking his time sucking phone away before he missed his ride to school. Everything was normal, until the instant it wasn't.
He had been half paying attention in Mrs. Farber's history class, staring out the window more than actually listening. It was shift day and he hated shift day. He always just seemed to drift on those days, it was if he was unanchored and distant unable to reel himself into the present moment. He rarely shared the fact that his father was Chicago Firefighter, especially in his pretentious white collar school; an ecosystem of elitists. He made it in on a scholarship due to his grades and singing voice that landed him in the school choir whether he wanted to be or not. But his father still paid pretty high tuition bills nonetheless. Actually a lot of the kids were pretty cool, but there were plenty who felt that they were superior in every way. Kyle was never quite sure where he fit in or if he wanted to fit in at all.
He wasn't ashamed of what his father did, he was actually immensely proud, but he preferred not share any more of his personal life than necessary. It was as if he was afraid that he would jinx his father if shared his profession with the masses. There were a select few that knew of his father's career choice and thought it was awesome. Kyle had never thought it was awesome. He admired the bravery of every first responder but hated the fact that his father was one. He had known loss too closely to get excited about his father rushing into a burning building. He knew that some that went on shift never came off. He also had memories of sitting in a hospital waiting room hoping his father would survive the head injury he had incurred when he went back to save a baby. He had seen up close and personal the very thin line between life and death. Hell his mother had been a doctor, a relatively safe occupation and had ended up dead so what did that mean for a man who cheated death every third day.
As his teacher droned on about mastermind behind the Trojan Horse he saw his phone light up indicating an incoming text message from his friend Jeff. Jeff's father was the head of maintenance at a local skyscraper, and thus, like Kyle not in the exclusive group of those who basked in the glory of their independently wealthy parents. Jeff knew Matt was a fireman and what house he served in.
Dude, major fire, firefighters trapped.
How do you know? Kyle typed back.
News and social media. Home sick. It's house 51.
Kyle's heart dropped into his stomach as he stared at his phone. Firefighters trapped were words no family member ever wanted to hear.
You know where I live. Get here, take my bike. If you go fast you can get there in ten minutes.
Kyle made it in eight. He had just jumped up from his desk and rushed out of the classroom leaving a stunned group of students and teacher behind. He hurried down the hallway and ran all the way to Jeff's apartment where he was waiting with his bike and well wishes.
He saw the barricade as soon as he was close and dropped the bike, allowing it to crash to the ground beside him. There was police officer watching the crowd and keeping them behind the makeshift barrier. Kyle strained to see but couldn't get a great look due to the distance, fire trucks and ambulance in the way. He hated to place his burden on anyone else but he prayed that Jeff had misunderstood and this wasn't 51's fight.
There was a photojournalist standing next to him with a lens that reminded Kyle of the camera's he would see at Wrigley Field snapping shots of the players from across the diamond. "Can I see," he asked. "Please."
The photographer nodded and held the weight of the lens as Kyle peered at the screen, shielding it from the sun. What he saw broke his heart and he knew he couldn't stay on the sidelines.
"It's my dad's truck. I think he's in there." The boy gasped.
"Are you sure?" The camera man asked.
Kyle nodded. "His wife, a paramedic, is crying and I didn't see him. I saw the Chief, I saw Cruz, but not my father. He would be first in. He's in there, I'm sure. I have to go, I have to find him."
They both looked down towards the police officer who was about six feet away. "I'll distract him and then you run." The photographer hoped his assistance would pay off as there is nothing more heart wrenching than a terrified child at the scene of a disaster.
Kyle quickly agreed and as soon as the cop's attention was diverted he took off. His legs, strengthened by many a soccer and hockey game, launched him to the center of all the activity before too many caught on.
It was Gabby who saw him first. "Kyle, how, what are you doing here?" she stumbled. Her tears still flowing.
"Is he in there?" Kyle yelled.
Gabby could only nod. She grabbed her mic and pulled it from her shirt. "Matt, Matt, Kyle is here."
At first Matt didn't think he had understood correctly but before he could question it his son's voice came over the radio. "Dad, are you okay?"
"I'm okay son." Matt decided not to split hairs as to why his son wasn't in school and how the hell he had found out what had been going on.
"Then what's going on? They said you guys are trapped. Where is everyone? Why can't you get out?"
"It's just a little dicey in here right now, but we're working on it."
"You can't give up. You can't!" Kyle pleaded.
"Listen to me son."
"No," Kyle yelled. "Tell me when you come out."
"Listen. I need to talk to you now. You know how much I love you. God, I love you so much." He began, his voice quivering with the effort. "You have always been my buddy, my right hand man. I have been so blessed to have you."
"Then don't leave me, you can't leave me!" Kyle yelled into the mic as it was becoming clear to him that his father and the others were indeed trapped with no options of escape left. "You always tell me not to worry that you'll be alright. You promised me! You have to be alright!"
Matt was so choked up he couldn't even answer, his fight not to sob lost as he cried out. "Dad you can't give up!" Kyle repeated. But he was only met with silence.
Chief Boden who had been standing nearby was coming to the conclusion that he was going to have to make a decision that held only hope and a prayer. He was teetering on the brink of that choice when Kyle dropped the mic and ran towards the building. Boden took a few giant steps forward and grabbed the youngster, his legs and arms flailing as he reached for his father who was all but dead.
Holding this desperate and anguish filled child Chief knew his only option was to try. Yet he still hesitated until Kyle cried out, his voice so twisted it only came out as a guttural cry. "Get ready for the water cannons. Cover yourselves up," he ordered his men as Cruz looked on in disbelief.
Kelly sat down on a bench in the park. With Kyle's school nearby as well as the zoo where they were frequent visitors he had hoped it would have pulled the youngster into its familiarity. In fact as he sat and scrolled through his phone it didn't take long to find one of his favorite pictures that had been taken on the other side of the gate only a year ago. It showed Matt pointing to something in the distance as Kyle followed his father's finger with an intent gaze. It was great candid shot that also showed Matt's adoration of his son as he looked at him out of the corner of his eye.
Kelly had to hold onto the hope that Kyle was playing some kind of pissed off preteen plot. He knew the close call that the house had taken a couple of weeks ago had hit him hard and he had been acting out ever since. Perhaps this was the cherry on top. It had to be, he couldn't accept anything else. The thought of losing this kid made his whole body shake with emotion.
He and Kyle had been close since the kid could walk and talk. He smiled as he recalled the days when he was called Unca Kelwy. By the time Kyle was three he could pronounce Kelly properly and at the mature age of nine he dropped the title of uncle. But they were as tight as ever.
Kelly knew the burden of childcare had always fallen squarely on Matt's shoulders and his friend in no way minded the responsibility. Matt embraced fatherhood, but it still held difficulties between twenty-four shifts and his contracting business. So one night when Hallie was buried in books and studying for some exam while Matt had a job to finish, Kelly had stepped up and helped out, and the rest as they say is history.
After seeing quite a bond form and Kelly's clear devotion towards his son Matt had pulled him aside and asked if he would act as Kyle's godparent. He, of course said yes and he couldn't bear the thought of not having this kid in his life.
He wasn't sure if he would have survived Shay's death or Anna's for that matter if it hadn't been for Kyle. Sure he lost his mind for a while, but when he was about to totally spiral out of control it had been an innocent text from an eight year old begging him to come over and finish a board game that snapped him out of it. And when his pseudo marriage broke up it had once again been this tiny human being who never let a night go by without climbing into his lap with a book or getting a game out to play. Kyle always gave him a reason to smile; to give him simple companionship without judgement.
When he lost Anna, he felt so broken, but once again his stabilizing force was a young man who knew just when to push his presence and when to back off. He knew that no matter what Kyle would be there for him in his quiet and unassuming way. Yes, he had picked up some old habits much to the dismay of the youngster who just sighed and shook his head. But even with that disappointment the boy never let go. He could be counted on far more than so many others two and three times his age.
Despite his and Casey's occasional run-in's, differences of opinions and well—all out warfare, Matt never kept Kyle from him or badmouthed Kelly in any way. He had to find this kid, for Matt, for himself and for Kyle. Sure it was an obnoxious thing to do, take off without caring what he did to those he loved. But what if, just what if, he had sent the text under duress trying to throw everyone off or what if he hadn't been the one to send the text at all. With one last look at the picture he stood up and renewed his search.