As Walter and Paige climbed into the Defender their whole demeanor changed , gone was the lovey-dovey , handholding to be replaced by concentration , determination and total work mode . They took the time it took to reach the school going over various scenario's they may come across . Both Sean and Louise were listening in almost disbelief at the sudden change in both of them ,Sean understanding what Paige had explained how Walter's brain worked . The look that Sean and many other people had always taken as arrogance was back on Walter' s face as he exited the Defender .
Paige went over to Louise and asked .
" Do you know any of the teachers at the school ? "
Louise looked a little confused and shook her head .
" Walter no luck with the teachers . " Paige shouted across to him .
" Dad , do you think you could get the crowd together and listen to me ?"
" You get ready to blast the horn when i tell you , i will climb on the roof of the Defender , hopefully the horn will attract the attention of the crowd . "
Paige walked over to Walter and asked . " What are you up to ?"
" Dad is going to try and get the crowds attention , once i blast the horn . "
As Walter was explaining to Paige , Sean shouted . " Ready . "
Walter put his hand on the horn and held it there , almost immediately most of the crowd stopped milling around and stared towards the sound . Sean began to wave his arms trying to attract the crowd towards him . At first a few of the crowd began to slowly walk towards Sean . A few seconds later the whole crowd seemed to rush forward and were surrounding the Defender . Sean standing on the roof of the Defender shouted as loud as he could .
" Silence please ! "
It took a couple of minutes for the whole crowd to quieten down so he could at least speak in a loud voice without shouting .
" It is obvious we have a major problem here , but all we appear to have is disorganized chaos . Would you please listen to my son Walter and his partner Paige , both were part of an American Homeland Emergency Response Team , who have dealt with situations a lot worse than this . "
His request was met with silence , at the same time it meant no one objected .
Sean climbed down from the roof and Walter replaced him .
" Thank you for listening , Paige my partner is the attractive young lady standing next to my mother , Louise . First have the emergency services been contacted ?"
A man close to the Defender put a hand up .
" They have been contacted , but the closest ambulances and fire brigade are tied up with a twenty car pile up on the main Dublin to Cork road . Which also means no traffic from the North can get through at the moment . The nearest fire engine from the South is still at least sixty minutes away . The ambulance situation is much the same . "
" Good and concise information , thank you . " Said Walter . Paige looked up at him and smiled , while mouthing " Well done ! "
Walter smiled back at her and then turned his attention back to the crowd .
" Next are there any teachers from the school here . "
Three young women put their hands up .
" Thank you could you go and speak to Paige please . "
The three women walked over to Paige .
" The next thing as anyone got any sort of medical abilities ."
Four people this time put their hands up , They informed Walter that two were first aiders , one a nurse and one a dentist .
" Not the best of combinations , but we need to work with what we have got . Could you please go stand by Louise , my mom .
The four of them moved over to Louise . " One more thing , do any of you have any first aid kits in your cars or at home if it is close by . We could also use as many blankets car or other sorts as possible . If you have can you please go and fetch them and deliver them to Louise . "
As Walter finished speaking , the majority of the crowd seem to disperse in all directions . Walter made his way over to Paige and Louise , closely followed by Sean .
" Paige can you find out who if anyone may still be in the school . "
" Ok i will question the teachers . "
" Louise can you set up a triage over that side of the field . " Asked Walter as he pointed to an area as far away from the school as possible .
Louise set off followed by her four helpers to await what ever would be bought to them .
Paige came back to Walter .
" All the children should have left the school , but the football team have practice on the field behind the school . But last week they began a computer course for the people of Callen , the last class twenty people turned up , tonight there is another class . The computer room is close to the science lab. " Paige explained what she had learned from the teachers .
" You have done well Paige . Do you think one of the teachers could go and check on the playing field . I must say it seems a little strange the boys have not appeared around the front of the school . "
Paige walked back to the three teachers , all agreed to check as they felt safer in numbers . Before they left Walter gave them a warning .
" Keep away from the school building and come back the same way . "
With Walter's warning ringing in their ears they set off . Walter called Paige over .
" Can you help with the triage , by directing anyone bringing medical kits or blankets to Louise and try and keep the crowd calm . "
" Ok Walter , but what are you going to do ? "
" Someone has to go in the school and check on those people . "
Paige looked at Walter with fear in her eyes .
" Why you ?" She asked in a whisper .
" Who else is there , by the time emergency services arrive it could be to late . Can you fill them in when they arrive if i am not back out . "
" Please make sure you take care . " Paige told him as she hugged him tight .
" Do not worry daughter , i am going in with him . NO ARGUMENT WALTER . " Sean told Walter in a stern voice .
" Ok dad thank you , make sure you do exactly what i say and only go were i tell or show you . UNDERSTOOD . " Walter replied in an equally stern voice .
Paige gave them a hug and added a kiss on Walter's lips as an added bonus .
Walter and Sean made their way to the school entrance , as they opened one of the double doors , they saw a lot of black smoke down the corridor .
" Well that is were the science lab. must be . " Stated Sean .
Walter by now was in complete Scorpion mode , his concentration was centered on a map of the school which hung on a wall in the reception area . He realized if they went back out of the front door and made their way to the back of the building , the science lab. had windows on the back wall .
" Dad back out the front door and we will make our way round the back of the building . We can check the lab. from there . "
Walter and Sean turned and left the building and began running around the school .
Paige was watching the door when she saw Walter and Sean run out of the door and run around the school .
" What the hell ! " She said to herself , before she had a chance to say or do anything , people began arriving carrying blankets and first aid equipment . She directed them to Louise and the triage area . It seemed nearly all the people who were there had gone and collected something . She was approached by a member of the cloth .
" Good evening Father " She said .
" Good evening. Are you Paige ? "
" Yes ! "
" Oh good i was told you were part of a team helping out . My name is Father O'Connol is there anything i can do . "
" Well at the moment we do not have a clear picture of what has happened . My partner , Walter and his father Sean , are trying to gain access to the school to find out what as happened . At the moment the emergency department are all tied up so we do not know when they will arrive . Louise , Walter's mom , is helping to set up a triage area in case there are any casualties , people are bringing medical items and blankets . I am sure people will feel easier if they see you around . " Explained Paige while still directing people .
Sean and Walter had made their way halfway down the side of the building , coming the other way three women and about twelve young boys behind them a man in his thirties carrying another lad .
" Are these the football kids ?" Asked Walter .
One of the young women answered .
" Yes they were , all were knocked over in the blast , most have cuts and bruises and the young lad in Mr. O'Conner's arms appears to have twisted his ankle . "
Walter looked at her for a second before he answered .
" Make sure you see Paige , a triage area is being set up so they can get treated there . Can you make a note of all the names of the people who are being bought out of the school . "
With that Walter and Sean continued to jog around to the back of the school . They turned the corner and saw black smoke pouring out of three windows .
" It looks like we have found the science lab. " Said Walter .
As they moved closer they began to smell a pungent odor . Walter stopped and Sean almost bumped into him .
" That smoke could be toxic , we had better give it a wide berth for the time being . Finding the people in the computer class is more important . " Walter spoke as he indicated to Sean to walk away from the school building so they could get around the smoke without inhaling to much of the smoke .
It took them nearly five minutes to bypass the smoke and get back on track to find the computer room . Walter and Sean began looking through the windows as they passed them . Walter found a window not fully closed , he managed to ease it open sufficient for him to climb in . He told Sean to carry on down the back of the school checking every window . Walter walked over to the classroom door , felt the handle , feeling no heat he turned the door knob and pulled the door open . Stepping into the corridor he noticed their were classrooms on the other side of the corridor . He began to check each room , the first was empty . The second room he entered appeared to be empty , as he turned to leave he heard a low whimper which appeared to be coming from a cupboard by the blackboard . He approached it with care , slowly turned the handle and pulled the door open , he was met with the sight of two teenage girls , hugging each other tightly .
" Hello my name is Walter , i am here to help you " As he spoke he reached out with one hand , one of the girls took his hand and he gently pulled her out , the other girl followed her friend .
" Well you know my name , what are yours ?" Asked Walter .
The young girl who had taken Walter's hand spoke first .
" My name is Megan and she is Louise . "
" Good names my sister was called Megan and my mom's name is Louise . "
The face on both girls dropped .
" Are you the Walter that saved the entire area from a gas cloud about three years ago ? "
" Well me and my team did ."
" Wow ! " Was all the two girls could manage .
" Will you be able to climb out of a window . " Walter asked , the girls nodded . Walter led them out of the room , across the corridor into the classroom with the open window . Walter put a chair by the open window , which made it easier for the girls to climb out of the window .
" Before you go do you know what room the computer classes were being held in ?"
Megan spoke up .
" It is usually in the room two doors from were you found us . "
" Thank you for that . Remember once you are out the window wait on the bank opposite until Sean comes back , do not attempt to go back to the front of the school before Sean is there to help . "
Both girls nodded in agreement . Megan was first to climb out of the window , once she was outside Louise climbed out the window . Walter, once they were both safe , left the room . He made his way to the room the girls had told him the computer lessons were held . He turned the handle and pushed the door which did not move , he banged hard on the door , a few seconds later he heard a weak voice shout . " Help ."
" Is something blocking the door ?" Walter asked .
The same weak voice answered back .
" A filing cabinet has fallen across it when the explosion occurred . "
" How many are there in the room with you ? "
" A total of twenty including me . "
" My name is Walter , what are you called ? "
" My name is Steven , but you can call me Steve . "
" Ok Steve , i am going to need some help to move that cabinet so we can get in . " Replied Walter .
" Everyone in here are injured . I think i have a broken leg , a couple are still unconscious , the rest appear to be mainly suffering from cuts and bruises , but there may be a few more broken limbs . Most of the class is made up of senior citizens . "
" Ok ,that makes the rescue a little bit more difficult . Do you know if your classroom is connected to the one either side ? " Walter asked .
" There is a door on the wall , on my right of the door you are at . " Answered Steve .
" Hang on i will go and check . " Walter ran to the next room , opened the door and went over to the wall and saw a door , he tried the handle but it appeared to be locked . He tried to shoulder it open but he just bounced off the door , looking around he saw an old fashioned school bench , pushed against the wall , his mind calculated that by using it as a battering ram he stood a much better chance of breaking the door down . He went over and picked the bench up , it was heavy and a little awkward , to hold it horizontally he found the center of gravity of the bench , took a long run to the door , he hit the door with as much force he could muster , so much so he was unable to hold the bench and he dropped it . He checked the door it had began to move , Walter kicked the door and it flew open . Going through the door he found himself in a room similar to the one he had just left , but this one was in total chaos , desks and chairs were upturned , people were trapped under some of them , some of the computer monitors appeared to have blown their screens .
" Steve ! " Walter shouted .
" Over here . " Walter followed the voice and saw an arm raised above an upturned desk .
" Hang on there , i am going to try and get some more help in here . "
With that Walter pulled out his phone and hit the contact for Paige .
" Walter , are you alright ? " A much relieved Paige answered .
" Yes , but i have a problem , two teenage girls i have put outside the school to wait for Sean . I have located the computer class , but the blast has caused chaos , twenty people all injured , a lot still trapped . We cannot come out the front way because the science lab. is spewing out what could be toxic smoke . The only way is through a window at the back of the school . I think i am going to need at least ten more people plus one of the people with some sort of medical knowledge . " Walter explained .
" Give me a few minutes , i will call you back . " Replied Paige .
Paige put her phone away and went to see Louise .
" Walter needs help of one of the people with some medical knowledge and ten volunteers to to help with the rescue ."
Louise nodded and went to see the four people who helped her to set up the triage . In the meantime Paige approached the crowd and explained the situation . Eight men immediately stepped forward . Then Paige heard someone shout " Count us in . " At that Connor and Thomas appeared from the crowd .
" Are you Connor and Thomas ? " Paige asked , her memory of them fixed in her mind from Patton Day .
" Yes . " They both said together .
" Make sure you behave yourselves , no playing up to Walter . This is a serious situation . "
" Don't worry we will keep our promise that we made that day he saved the area . " Connor explained .
" Then , thank you . " Said Paige giving them one of her cute smiles .
She phoned Walter and explained she had got the help he required . Walter explained to Paige they were to go to the back of the school and wait at the far corner until Sean reached them , so he could direct them around the smoke and to the window . Walter told her he would explain to Sean where to meet up with the extra help , he told Paige he loved her before disconnecting the call .
He quickly explained to Steve that he would be back soon with more help , At that Walter made his way back to the classroom he had entered the school by . He looked out of window and saw Megan and Louise waiting patiently for Sean , he looked towards the direction he had gone and saw Sean approaching .
" Sean we have a problem here i have twenty people with injuries , Paige as arranged ten people plus someone with medical training , they should be waiting at the corner of the school . Can you take these two , with you and direct them were to go from the corner of the school . Then can you bring the others back here . "
" No problem see you in about fifteen minutes . " Sean said as he directed the two teenage girls to follow him .
Walter made his way back to the computer room , once back inside he began to try and clear away some of the debris so he could start to remove some of the injured . He reached the first person who was trapped by a overturned desk , he slowly removed the desk and the lady managed to drag herself clear . After a quick check by Walter showed no broken bones , just cuts and bruises . Walter led the woman , who informed him her name was Jane , back to the classroom with the open window .
" Jane please wait here and once the other people arrive , can you get one of them to shout me and i will come back and take them to the computer room . " Jane just nodded to Walter's instructions .
In the mean time Sean was approaching the corner of the school and was surprised to see the leader of the group .
" Paige what are you doing here ? " He asked in a shocked voice .
Paige gave him one of her stares .
" I am not letting Walter have all the fun . " She said in a voice not to be argued with .
Sean swallowed hard , did not say a word to Paige , in his mind he thought no way am i arguing with that Moma bear . Instead he instructed the two girls were to go and report to Louise . Paige added .
" Father O'Connol is with her ,if you know him better . "
Megan said thank you and the two the two girls set of towards the front of the school . Once they were safely on their way , Sean turned to the other twelve people .
" Follow me , we cannot go straight down the back of the school because of the black smoke coming out of the science lab . A detour is required , so keep close as the smoke may be toxic . They all set of at a steady jog , Sean was impressed how Paige was able to keep up with ease , showing no sign of fear .
They had arrived at the window and before Sean could stop her Paige was halfway in the room .
" Hello are you one of the rescue team ? " Paige nodded and Jane continued . " Walter said to shout him and and he will come back to show you the way . "
Paige in her loudest voice shouted .
" WALTER !"
" Paige ! " Was all Walter managed , he stopped what he was doing and stood up . " That's the help arrived , i will be back in a minute , hang on Steve . "
Walter rushed out of the room and ran to the other classroom . As soon as he entered Paige rushed over to him and hugged him tightly .
" Why are you here Paige , you should be outside . "
" Don't worry Walter , Father O'Connol is keeping everything going on out there . I will always be were you are . " Paige said just before she planted a kiss on his lips .
" It is no use arguing son , she is one determined woman , who i am so proud of . " Said Sean who had come up to the pair .
Walter pulled away from Paige , gave her a smile and a peck on the cheek .
" Ok, the situation is there are still nineteen people in the classroom , most are still trapped by furniture , one at least has a a broken leg , and two are unconscious , the rest i think are mainly cuts and bruises . I need two people waiting outside the window , to help when we get the casualties out and two on the inside to pass them out of the window . The rest of you follow me and do exactly what i say . " Walter explained , just as he saw Connor and Thomas . Paige noticed his face change .
" It is alright Walter , they are here to help and know they have to follow your instructions to the letter .
All Walter could manage was .
" They had better . "
Paige smiled and nodded , then walking alongside Walter she took hold of his hand , held her head up high she then indicated for the others to follow , they made their way to the computer room . Once there Walter gave each team an area to concentrate on to free the trapped people . Paige worked with Walter , they concentrated on helping the two unconscious people , one man and one woman . Once they had removed the furniture that was trapping them , Paige called the dentist over to give them a quick examination .
The dentist gave them a quick examination , both had head injuries , but did not seem to have any broken bones . Walter came up with a plan to extract the two unconscious people , Walter would pick them up by using their armpits as a secure place to lift them . Sean would pick them up by their feet . They got both back to the to the classroom and rested them on the floor , using jackets of some of the rescue team as pillows . The dentist stayed with them in case there was any change in their condition .
Paige had stayed in the computer classroom and had managed to release two more people who had only suffered cuts and bruises . Another team member took them to the other classroom were they were helped out of the window and put on the bank outside .
By the time Walter and Sean came back Paige had managed to reach Steve , the last person now trapped .
" Walter i need you to work out the best way to release Steve . The way the furniture as fallen on him , there could be a danger of removing the incorrect piece could bring a lot more stuff down on him . "
Walter carefully made his way across to Paige . Fortunately by now the other members of the team had removed all the other people and were helping to get them out of the window , Sean having taken charge of the evacuation , who was surprised just how well and hard both Connor and Thomas had worked . The two unconscious people had come round but were still shaky so they would need help to get to the triage area .
Walter reached Paige and immediately began to go through calculations as to the best way to release Steve . He began instructing Paige what to remove , following Walter's instructions to the letter in a matter of minutes they were able to pull Steve clear . It was immediately apparent that Steve's right leg was broken , with extreme care Walter and Paige managed to get Steve upright , the next problem was going to be the fact that there were no clear paths to the exit . Walter worked out if they made a chair out their arms , Steve could put his arms around their necks and they should be able to carry him out . Walter looked at Paige with some concern on his face .
" Will you be alright with this or should i fetch dad ? "
" I'll be fine i am a big girl now . " Paige replied with a big smile on her face .
They made Steve as comfortable as they could and with great care picked their way through the mess on the floor . They reached the corridor with not much difficulty and began to head towards the escape classroom .
All of a sudden there was another explosion , the shock wave knocked the three of them on the floor .
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