Happy New Year/Decade everyone! The 00's are behind us, and now it's time to concentrate on the 10's.
Quite a few people have added either 'Too Close' or 'Second Chances', or both, to their favourites lists in the past couple of weeks – that's just awesome! Thanks!
~Lisa.
Chapter Fourteen - Deadly Danger!
Stepping into the dining area of the Smash Club, Julia glanced around approvingly.
She passed Jesse, who was making his way over to the stage, "Jesse … this is some club," she complimented.
"Why, thank you very much," Jesse imitated in an Elvis tone, "I'll catch up with you shortly. Just have to check on a few things on stage."
"Julia, over here," Carmen waved, from her position standing beside the table that Dean, Nicky, and Amelia currently occupied.
"Hey!" Julia greeted.
"Have you met Stephanie's boyfriend Dean? This is Julia Denyer, an old friend of Danny's." Carmen indicated to a young good-looking man, with stand out green eyes.
"What do you mean by old!" Julia grinned, "Nice to meet you Dean."
"Same!" Dean said, "Stephanie should be back any moment!" He frowned in the direction of the hall, still no sign of her.
Carmen said, "Danny hasn't arrived yet, which is amazing as he is always so punctual."
"I remember," Julia smiled.
"Julia, great to see you," Joey returned to the table with a basket of fries, Gia close behind him carrying a tray of drinks."
Dean caught Gia's arm after she had set the drinks down, "Where's Steph?" he hissed quietly.
Gia looked confused, "Isn't she here?"
It was Dean's turn to look confused, "You know she isn't … you had some guy ask her to meet you in the supply closet. She's been gone over ten minutes now."
A worried expression crossed Gia's face, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't spoken to Steph all night. We're short staffed, so I've spend the majority of the night in the kitchen."
Dean stood up, his expression grim, "I don't know what's going on – but I intend to find out!"
Stephanie sat on the floor of the supply closet, tapping her feet on the ground. She could hear the music playing in the club, and she hummed in time to the familiar tune, wondering how long it would be before anyone came looking for her.
As soon as she got out she would contact the police. Surely this latest stunt of Regina's would land her in a juvenile facility – she was obviously beyond unstable! Normal people didn't go around deliberately locking people in supply closets against their will.
Stephanie blinked. The air looked different – it had a blurred tinge to it, like there was something wrong with Stephanie's vision. And what was that smell? It smelt like – smoke! Something clicked on in Stephanie's brain and her eyes widened in horror, now realizing what Regina had meant by 'her plan.' Regina had set the place on fire, with Stephanie locked inside!
Stephanie jumped to her feet and began to scream for help, "Somebody please help me! Please! The building's on fire!" She pounded on the door, and continued to shout for help. She momentarily gave up, knowing that it would be almost impossible for someone to hear her over the music, unless they happened to be in the locker room itself.
Stephanie assessed the room looking for supplies to keep the smoke and flames at bay. Even though it was a locked door that was keeping her trapped, the fact that it was closed was also a good thing as she had read somewhere that it takes fire ten to fifteen minutes to burn through a wooden door. Stephanie spied some towels and grabbed a handful, using two to block the crack underneath the door. She climbed the shelving unit next, and placed another towel over the air vent, covering it as best as she could. There were no windows in the small room, so no chance of the fire gaining access to her that way.
Satisfied that the room was shut up as tight as she could make it, made Stephanie feel slightly calmer.
Returning to the door, she again began to call for help.
Regina couldn't believe how well her plan was progressing. She knew she was smart, but now she decided she was a genius. Chuckling to herself she turned into the alleyway to the right of the Smash Club. It ran the length of the building, starting at the street and ending up at the club parking lot. Retrieving a small flashlight from her pocket Regina switched it on, and started up the alley. She soon located the present she had left for herself earlier in the evening – a filled-to-the-brim gas can, which she had removed from the trunk of her father's car. There were no windows on this side of the building, and the structure was brick, which would make Regina's job tougher, but not impossible.
Knowing she had little time, as the people in the main room would soon notice the fire she had lit back stage, Regina began pouring gasoline, down the side of the building, moving back toward the street. Peering around the corner, she noticed a few people scattered here and there, but nobody was near the front of the club. It was very risky, but Regina wasn't satisfied with the damage yet. Watching the street as she went Regina trailed a line of gasoline under the main window of the club. She glanced around frantically; no one seemed to be taking any notice of her.
Her hands shaking, she fumbled into her pocket for the box of matches. Before she knew it, the lit match was in her hand. Regina gazed at it briefly and then threw it onto the ground.
The fire crackled loudly as it raced along the front of the building. Several people looked Regina's way.
"Hey!" someone shouted. "What are you doing?"
Regina dropped the gas can, and ran.
Dean was half way across the room, when he spotted the blonde guy, who had passed the message to Stephanie, dancing with a short brunette.
Dean was across the dance floor in a flash, grabbing the poor guy by the collar, "Where's my girlfriend?"
Curious eyes were drawn to the commotion, and a hush fell over the dance floor, as people stopped dancing to gape.
Jesse, who was chatting to the lead singer of the night's scheduled teen band, strode over, his mouth set in a firm line. "Dean!" he indicated a hand toward the blond guy. "Let go! Let him go!"
The blonde guy appealed to Jesse, "He's crazy man! I haven't done anything."
Dean reluctantly released the guy, taking a step back.
"What's gotten into you?" Jesse angrily asked of Dean.
Dean ignored him, his full attention focused on the blonde guy, "The message you passed onto Stephanie. Who was it from?"
"You were there! Some chick named Gia … paid me twenty bucks … to deliver it!"
Gia stepped forward, "I'm Gia, and I've never spoken to you."
The blonde guy stared at Gia, shaking his head, "You're not her! The girl I spoke to had long curly red hair, and she was kind of forceful!"
"Regina!" Jesse said.
"The supply closet!" Dean said at the same time.
They both raced for the hallway, but stopped short as several voices spoke at once.
"Can anyone smell something burning?" someone said.
"Is that smoke?" another voice cried, pointing at the stage.
Screams filled the club, "The place is on fire!"
"The door! We have to get to the door!"
Pandemonium broke out, as people rushed for the main doors, knocking over chairs and tables in their haste to escape. Smoke was still billowing out from the stage area, as well as the wall opposite where the bar was located.
Jesse held up his hands, attempting to reason with the frightened crowd, "Everyone calm down!" he shouted, briefly wondering why the fire alarm hadn't alerted them to the smoke. "The sprinklers will kick in any moment!"
Dean grabbed Amelia with one hand, Carmen with the other. Joey did the same with Nicky. They moved toward the exit, Julia Denyer close behind them.
Nicky looked back frantically over his shoulder, "Alex! Where's Alex? Joey stop!"
Suddenly Jesse was there. I'll find Alex! Joey, get them out!" He ran back into the main club area.
Upon reaching the entranceway, Dean shoved Amelia in Carmen's arms "Take her. I have to find Stephanie!"
"Dean! Dean!" Amelia cried, trying to break free from Carmen. But Dean had disappeared from sight, swallowed up by the smoke.
"Come on! Come on!" Joey doubled back, ushering Carmen and Amelia in front of him. Nicky and Julia were already at the door.
Back in the main room, Jesse was desperately trying to locate his son, "Alex … where are you?" he shouted, "Alex!"
"Dad!" Alex was crouching beside the bar. Spotting his father, he tried to make his way over to him, but the crowd of people trying to escape held him back. Someone slammed into his back, and he tripped, falling onto his knees. "Dad!" he called again.
Something exploded! People screamed in horror as the front window imploded, glass flying everywhere, and worse still, finally allowing the flames access to the room.
Jesse finally reached Alex, "It's okay son. I've got you." He gripped Alex firmly by the arm, guiding him across the room, moving cautiously, visibility almost zero, and decreasing.
Jesse and Alex collided with someone, and Jesse could just make out the silhouette of Gia. He grabbed her with his free hand.
"Jesse … is that you? I got turned around. The smoke's so thick!" Gia's voice sounded small and scared.
"Just hold onto me … I know this place like the back of my hand." Another explosion sounded in the distance, and the music that had been playing through the speakers, abruptly died. All that could be heard was the roar of the fire, and frightened people yelling.
Jesse could now make out the strobe lighting at the front entrance, so he knew they must be close.
"Nearly there," he reassured Alex and Gia.
A blast of cool, but smoky air hit them, and suddenly they were out on the street. Jesse could hear sirens in the distance. Someone had obviously phoned, as the fire alarm hadn't alerted them, like it should have. He hoped they weren't far away. People were everywhere; some standing around in shock, others running around searching for missing loved ones.
Jesse scanned the crowd, but couldn't locate Joey, Carmen, Nicky, or Amelia.
"Dad! Did Nicky get out?" Alex tugged frantically on his father's sleeve.
"I'm sure he did," Jesse said quickly, "I just can't see him."
"The water …" Gia was mumbling incoherently, "turned off … Kimmy …" her voice trailed off.
Jesse grabbed Gia, shaking her harder than he should have, "What about Kimmy?" he demanded, realization hitting him like a slap in the face that he hadn't seen her since the fire had broken out.
Gia was trembling violently, still in distress, "There was no water … Kimmy went to check the main switch … in your office."
Jesse looked horrified, "When?"
Alex answered, "About ten minutes ago Dad. She never came back!"
Jesse turned and ran. He shouted over his shoulder, "Gia, stay with Alex!"
Alex's eyes widened in terror, "Dad no! Dad, please come back!"
Gia put an arm around Alex, pulling him close to her side, and they both watched in shock as Jesse headed back into the burning building.
"I don't see why I couldn't have stayed home by myself!" Michelle complained to her father from the passenger seat of his car. She would have loved to spend an evening with the house to herself, and no interruptions.
"Because it's illegal for a 12 year-old to be left home unsupervised by an adult, that's why," Danny reminded her.
"It was okay for Macaulay Culkin," Michelle muttered under her breath.
"I don't make the rules honey. And, if I recall the movie accurately, and I'm sure that I do, he was accidentally left behind," Danny said. "Besides, he practically wrecked his house. I couldn't cope with that!" He shook his head, imagining it.
Michelle giggled at her dad.
They stopped at the lights, waiting to turn into the street the Smash Club was located on.
Michelle stared out the window. Her gaze focused on what she thought were some lights flickering in the distance – but the more she looked at them, the more they didn't look like lights.
She sat up straight in her seat, "Dad, what is that?" She pointed in the distance.
Danny followed her line of sight, his expression turning into a frown, "It looks like smoke."
The light turned green, and Danny made a right-hand turn. As they drew nearer it became obvious that something was indeed on fire.
Realization suddenly dawned on Michelle, as she spotted a crowd of people, "Dad, it's the Smash Club!"
Danny hurriedly maneuvered the car into a parking space. Michelle opened her door, jumping out before the car had drawn to a complete stop.
"Michelle!" Danny said angrily, but his daughter was already off and running
Danny quickly joined Michelle, both frantically searching the crowd for any familiar faces.
"There!" Michelle was jumping up and down excitedly. "I see Joey! Joey!"
Joey half-turned at the sound of his name, "Danny! Michelle!"
"Is everyone alright?" Danny asked anxiously, only spotting Carmen, Nicky, Amelia, and Julia. Where were the others?
"We're fine!" Joey put a hand on Danny's arm to caution him. "Now Danny, I don't want you to panic, but there's a chance … a small chance … that Stephanie might still be inside."
"What!" Danny's voice was several octaves higher than usual. He looked over at the burning building in horror, "In there? I have to go in!" Danny started forward, but Joey and Julia held him back.
"Danny … the fire department are on their way," Julia spoke gently. "They will find Stephanie!"
"It's my daughter!" Danny protested angrily, attempting to pull free of Joey's restraining hold. "Joey, let go!"
"Dad, stop!" Michelle pleaded. "Dad, please! You're scaring Nicky and Amelia."
Danny looked over at Nicky and Amelia. They were both crying loudly, tears streaming down their small faces. His expression turned shameful, "Joey it's okay … I'm okay."
Joey gave a nod, releasing him. He stepped back a couple of paces, but still watched Danny warily.
Carmen hugged Nicky and Amelia closely to her, "Dean went looking for Stephanie as soon as the fire broke out," she explained to Danny. "It's entirely possible they are both safely around the back of the building. Just because we can't see them … doesn't necessarily mean they are inside."
Tears rolled down Amelia's cheeks, "I want Dean!"
"Alex and Dad are missing too!" Nicky cried.
Sirens could be heard in the distance.
"Nicky! Amelia! Listen! I hear the fire engines now," Michelle said, hoping to both reassure and distract the frightened seven year-olds. It worked, Nicky and Amelia both stopped crying, straining to listen.
Amelia began jumping up and down, "I hear them. I hear them."
"Me too!" Nicky quickly added.
"See, they are trained to put out fires, and rescue people – so don't worry," Michelle said, with a lot more conviction than she felt. She suddenly jumped in fright as she felt someone touch her shoulder. She spun around and was suddenly face to face with her cousin, and Gia.
Alex was gasping for breath, "Dad went back in after Kimmy. I tried to stop him."
Michelle paled, "Oh no! Uncle Jesse!"
Nicky launched himself at his brother almost knocking him to the ground, "Alex, Alex, you're okay!" He hugged his brother tightly.
Alex returned the embrace, "I'm fine." He indicated to Gia, "Dad got us out."
Gia nodded, her eyes wide with fear.
"Maybe Carmen's right," Danny decided. "They could be around back. I'm going to walk round and have a look. I can't just stand here and do nothing."
"I'll go with you," Joey said.
"Be careful … both of you," Carmen said quietly.
As Danny and Joey disappeared into the crowd, the first fire engine screeched to a halt, siren screaming, and strobe lights flashing. Firemen jumped from the vehicle and began issuing instructions, both to the crowd, and each other. Nicky, Alex, and Amelia watched in fascination as they first unrolled the fire hose and then connected it to the nearby hydrant.
Nicky gave a firm nod of approval, "The firemen will save our family!"