Chapter 7

Benjy got past the headquarters. He knew it was a dangerous business but he seems determined. It was totally dark and he didn't dared to switch on his flash lights. He could see fog developing at the horizon. It was a long way from here. One of his trusted colleagues have arranged him a chopper. He couldn't wait any longer. It should be ready in a hour. So he was waiting in it. He tried to relax himself but soon found out that it was not easy. He closed his eyes as memories came flushing in.

1

2019

California

Gerald and Benjy were in the team. They were one of the commanding officers of that group that fought against the deadly fires of California. Both were transferred to different locations busy with their duties. Benjy was already in the team and Gerald joined him late. He didn't seem to notice him during their emergency. The scenario was much worse than they expected. Everything covered in blazing flame. Streets looked pathway to hell. They were not wasting any time. The emergency response team is trying to keep up to their best; but was nothing against the raw power of nature. They had to sync in quickly with the response team to work it out. The strategy was to get minimum casualties. So they were clearing house by house. There was one house in the sixth lane. It was burning terribly but someone informed them that their son is still trapped in that house. They had to move quickly. The place is going to explode. Finally the duty fell into Brian's and Gerald's shoulders. They didn't have time to plan so they just went for it. They opened the front door and they heard a scream. It sounds like a small girl. They rushed into the next floor from which the the sound was coming. Just when they were about to go up the stairs were collapsing on itself. They quickly grabbed the railing and climbed on it. They could see the top railing was still intact. Gerald went for it and was successful. With all his strength he pulled himself up. He helped Benjy to pull him up. They were calling out for that kid. They should know her exact position as time was running out. They probably just have maybe few minutes before that house collapse on them along with that Innocent kid. It seems like sound is coming from the attic but they couldn't find the attic door. They were worried. The stairs case is totally collapsed and if they don't have another route to the attic the situation can get really worse. There was a bed room to their left. They went in to see a small room with a whole lot of burned toys. And on the top they found a door to the attic. They called out for the kid but this time she didn't respond. They were afraid thinking that she might have become unconscious. They pulled the door and went in. They were at the other end of that attic. She was lying unconscious on the floor. They ran in to pick her. They were literally inches away from her when the floor collapsed underneath their feet. Gerald was somehow able to keep his balance and didn't fall. But everyone isn't lucky enough. Benjy was about to fall into that pit when he grabbed a broken wooden trunk at the last second. Gerald took some time to realize the situation and when he did he turned back to see Benjy trying hard to stay alive. Benjy couldn't hold it any longer and right then he lost it and Gerald grabbed him by arm. Gerald was on his knees to distribute his weight. He need a heavy upper body strength to pull someone like Benjy up. That's when Benjy noticed it. His eyes were filled with horror. The floor on kids side was crumbling. He looked at Gerald. He turned back to assess the situation and turned back to him. He tried to pull the kid to safety with his mom dominant leg but it was an inch shorter. Benjy knew what to do and also did Gerald.

" Gerald, look at me.

You know what you have to do.

You have to save her.

Just let me go."

Gerald didn't move. He was in a trance. For the first time in his life he didn't knew what to choose. Time was ticking. The floor crumbled in every going second and they both knew only two person can out of here alive. He tried to wake her up but it went in vain.

" You have to let me go."; Benjy shouted for the final time.

He was trying to loosen Gerald's grip but he just made it tighter. Gerald looked around for something. He called out for help but no one could hear them. The scene didn't last for long as the floor collapsed and all went down. It took rescue mission a day to get to them. They were in half dead state and near to them a small arm with a few fingers missing was seen crushed by a big pile of rock!

Benjy could hear a distant voice calling him. He slowly opened his eyes and he could focus on a guy just like himself.

'Could it be really Gerald?'; he thought to himself.

But his hope didn't pay off as it was one of his colleagues who promised to help him get to San Francisco.

He washed his face with some water in a bottle. He stretched his arm. It will almost midnight. He knew this was stupid but he was ready to take this chance. He couldn't wait any longer.

They started the chopper. Gerald told him that their food was almost depleting and somehow he is feeling it was all on him. The complexity in behavior of a human being is so difficult to understand. They are one of the most intelligent creatures but couldn't decide on something even much more simple. They feel it as a boon but sometimes it just stop you from doing the right thing and that's when things happen unexpectedly.

Benjy was laughing at himself. He felt funny how this phenomena has changed him. He looked down the chopper and could see some people. A few weeks before they might even be related to him but now that are trying to avoid the some people who they said they loved the most. He felt very strange for how the time was playing on their life.