Chapter 1: A Familiar Face
Vic sighed as she pulled herself into the driver's seat of the firetruck. She slammed the door behind her angrily.
"you good?" Travis asked looking at her front the passenger's seat.
"ya." She nodded. "no," she quickly corrected meeting his eyes. "why is it, that some idiot gets drunk off his ass, lights his house on fire, and is the only one to survive." She was so angry. They had just lifted 3 bodies into aid cars to be sent to the morgue. And the one victim who lived was the one who carelessly dropped a cigarette onto a puddle of vodka and burned down an entire house.
"Vic..." Travis started. But Vic didn't let him finish.
"he was living in the basement beneath a happy family. A husband, a wife, a 6-year-old daughter. And he was so careless… why would he get to live when that perfectly happy, kind family has to die. Why do the good people always die?"
"Because… people don't always get what they deserve. We can't control that., but what we can do is try our best to save as many people as we can. The rest isn't up to us it's up to..."
"God?" Vic interrupted. "if it really is up to god… that he is some screwed up…"
"Vic... let's just go back to the station ok?" Travis said placing his hand on hers. Vic smiled at him and took a deep breath, pushing the memories of the call to the back of her mind. He was right. This was out of her control.
"Hey, guys, ready to go?" Jack asked hopping in the back of the rig.
"Yup," Vic answered as she turned the keys in the firetruck and started the ignition.
When they got back to the Station, Dean was sitting at reception.
"Someone take over for me. Please. I can't sit at reception all day." Dean pleaded as they walked in the door. Jack had already walked back into the barn to start cleaning the rigs and hanging the hoses. Vic turned to Travis and put out her fist.
Rock.
Paper.
Scissors.
Shoot.
"Nooooooo." Vic groaned as Travis slapped his open palm over her closed fist.
"Paper beats rock."
"best two out of three?" Vic asked
"Not gonna happen." Travis responded, "But I can sit with you for a bit."
Vic sat down at reception and Travis hoisted himself up onto the desk behind her.
"So… guess what happened with Jackson last night?"
"Seriously? More drama?" Travis said.
As Vic was explaining her fight with Jackson, a young girl walked into the station and up to the desk. Vic spun around in her chair and faced the girl. She looked like she was around 15, maybe 16. She was short, 5'3 maybe 5'4. She had long blonde hair that was pulled up into a high ponytail and piercing blue eyes.
"Hi, can I help you?" Vic asked
"Yes, I'm looking for Lieutenant Jack Gibson?" She said leaning against the counter.
"Oh well you're in luck, he's right behind you," Vic said pointing at Jack, who had just walked out of the barn.
The girl spun around to look at him. As soon as Jack met her eyes he felt his whole body go cold. His face went white.
"what's happening?" Vic asked poking Travis in the side.
"how am I supposed to know?" Travis responded
"Sorry," Jack said stepping towards the girl. "you look just like…"
"Cara Weddington?" The girl asked "Your high school girlfriend? I know I get that a lot. I'm Ellie."
Jack stood there in shock, staring at her.
"Holy crap" Vic whispered to Travis. "do you think that's his..."
"shhh" Travis silenced her as they both stared at the duo.
"Hey Jack are you ok?" Andy asked sitting down next to Jack on top of the rig.
"I just… I don't know" He said. He was still shocked.
"Is she really your daughter?" Andy asked cautiously. She didn't want to pressure him into saying anything, but she wanted him to know she was there for him.
"I mean… She's 16 so the timing checks out but… It just seems so weird. That year. After 11 grade Cassie left. She went to some fancy school in New York and I never saw her again. I think maybe she was pregnant. Maybe that's why she left. I think Ellie is mine." He said in disbelief.
"So why did she come now?"
"Cassie died. In a car crash." Jack said. Andy could tell he was upset. He'd told her about Cassie before. How they had an off and on relationship all through high school. She could tell that he was hurt by the fact that she was gone.
"I'm gonna go get you some food ok? You haven't eaten all day."
Andy got up and started to climb down the latter.
Before she dropped down to the ground she said one last thing.
"Jack. She is mourning the loss of a parent. She came to find you. I think… I think this might be an opportunity for you to get that family you always wanted." And then she was gone from sight. Jack just sat there. Staring up at the roof of the barn. Could he actually have a family? Could he really have a daughter?
Sorry, this chapter was pretty short. I'm working on a new chapter for this story, escape, and in the bubble so they will be out soon!