I know! Sorry! Please enjoy!
She's the One
Chapter 12
It was as if time had frozen. Kerry stood still; the images of the explosion were playing over and over again. Suddenly her mind went blank. She stopped fighting Phil Hunter and Terry Perkins and just stood rooted to the spot, watching the flames licking the old warehouse. She heard an orchestra of sirens in the distance; help was on its way.
A fire truck and an ambulance pulled into the waste land and braked sharply. The Sun Hill officers and SO19 (holding Gabriel) backed away. Kerry stayed where she was, not moving. The fierce wind now blowing ran through her hair, making her shiver.
"Stand back, please!" called a fire man. "We're going in!" The fire man waved his hand at his companions and they brought out their massive hose pipe.
Three fire men donned their protective gear and ran to the warehouse. They kicked down a door and stepped inside.
Beams of wood and metal had fallen everywhere. Fires were getting larger and smoke rose from the ones being extinguished by the hose pipe. One officer waved a hand to try and separate the billowing smoke. They crept forwards.
Meanwhile outside, Gabriel was attempting to get away from SO19. His shouted and screamed at them that he was innocent. The firearms officers held their guns tighter.
"Don't move!" Sergeant Rollins bellowed. "If you put up a fight we will shoot!" Gabriel fell silent, knowing what could happen. He knew he could get himself out of this, no-one would believe Kerry.
Back inside the warehouse, the fire officers couldn't see a thing. Thick black smoke clouded their vision. They dropped to the ground. They could see clearer now.
Just ahead they could see a straight backed wooden armchair on fire. Tight ropes lay burning on the ground. One officer pointed ahead. A man lay on the ground unconscious underneath a large wooden beam. Another officer gave the thumbs up and he crept further forward. Two officers lifted the beam with forced effort, and soon the man was free. The other officer went to check the damage. He turned the stationary man onto his front. His eyes were closed, his breathing still.
With the help of two fire officers, the unconscious man was hoisted onto the third officer's back and they began to make their way out. They reached the door they entered through and pushed themselves the last stretch of the way to get outside.
They carried the man towards the ambulance and the paramedics came rushing to them. The fire officer laid the man on the stretcher and the paramedics checked his heartbeat, while the Sun Hill officers looked on in horror.
Smithy's face was mangled with deep cuts. Blood was pouring from a wound on his head which stained his hair. His leg was at an odd angle, presumably broken. Kerry rushed forwards.
"Is he okay?" she stuttered, her eyes wide with fear.
"He's stopped breathing," one paramedic muttered. She gently tilted Smithy's chin back and began to perform mouth to mouth. After two tries she sat up again and pressed her hands on his chest.
"His airways seem to be blocked by something," she concluded. "He might be able to make it if we can get it out."
"Okay, let's turn him over," suggested the other paramedic. Carefully, they took hold of Smithy's arms and turned him onto his stomach. They patted his back gently.
"I'm sorry, but we can't do anything else," the paramedic said sadly, "he's having trouble breathing and if he woke up now he's be a lot of pain due to whatever is trapped in his throat."
Kerry shook her head in disbelief.
"No, he can't be gone!" she yelled. She knelt down beside him. "Smithy, can you hear me?" she whispered into his ear. "Smithy, please wake up! Don't leave me! Please! Wake up! I love you…"
But Smithy didn't move. He just lay there, and was unaware of the many people beginning to grieve for him. His body was still, but his mind, or soul, was on the move. It rose up. Smithy could see his body on the ground, Adam, Jack and Gina comforting the others. Phil held his head low. 'Hey everyone,' Smithy called, 'I'm up here! Look at me!' But no-one could hear him. His eyes fell on a young blonde woman holding his hand trying to get him to arise. She was crying. This woman was the one he had always loved; she was the one who he'd always wanted to be with…Kerry.
As though a jolt of lightning had struck him, Smithy was back inside his body. His chest began to move up and down rhythmically. His eyes fluttered open as he heard deep sighs of relief from those gathered around him. He saw Kerry's tearstained face, but she was smiling weakly.
"Smithy!" she exclaimed. "You're alright!" She wrapped her arms around him, but he groaned in pain. Kerry recoiled immediately.
"Okay, what's his name?" asked a paramedic.
"It's Dale," Gina offered while standing behind Kerry.
"Dale," the paramedic continued, "I'd like you to tell me where it hurts."
Smithy tried to find his voice, but he couldn't speak. His breathing was raspy.
"Right, there's still something trapped in his throat," the paramedic continued. "If we take him into some more light we'll be able to see if he has any more injuries." Tony, Phil and Terry stepped forwards and helped the assistant carry the stretcher over to the ambulance. Adam strode over to where SO19 were holding Gabriel. He took out his handcuffs.
"Gabriel Kent, I'm arresting you for using a false identification, the rape and attempted murder of Kerry Young and the abduction and attempted murder of Dale Smith," Adam recited as he cuffed Gabriel's hands together. "You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you'll later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Hurrah! Gabriel got arrested! (does a little dance).