Richard When a Fire Burns Hot

1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5439-4181-4
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 200 Seiten

'When a Fire Burns Hot' is an action-packed adventure follows a forest fire crew as they combat the ferocious summer wildfires of the West.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Richard, Corey

Leseproben

Chapter 2 “Okay ... Lunch!” Alaska yelled to the five people in his squad. The members of Squad Three gathered at a place chosen by Alaska, which was as shady a spot as he could find in the desolate landscape. This marked the first occasion the six had gathered together without the presence of the other two squads. “All right, kids. We’re gonna do this ‘first day of school’ thing and introduce ourselves,” Alaska said, as if tired of the game already, and pointed to Frank. “We’ll start with you there.” “I’m Frank.” “Okay, Frank, and how many seasons do you have?” “Two.” Alaska’s finger next pointed at Scott. “And you.” “I’m Scott and the same’s true for me.” Finding nothing there to pursue, Alaska moved on to a young man wearing a mask of artificial serenity. “How ‘bout you, man?” Alaska prodded, as a smirk readied itself on his face. “I’m Paul, and no... I haven’t fought any fires before,” the youth replied softly, the pitch of his voice rising at the end of his sentence. “But I’m ready to do whatever I’m supposed to do out here. I think it’s really cool that we all get a chance to save the forests and all.” “You ain’t a fire bug, are ya? You know, someone who starts fires for fun, like them Indians?” When Alaska looked at Paul, it was obvious from the bemused look on his face that he hadn’t seen too many people like him before. “No...” “Okay, cool.” Alaska smiled thinly, and looked at the rest of the group for signs that Paul amused them as well. Frank resisted the temptation to get on Alaska’s good side by returning his look. Only one person showed signs of amusement, heavily laced with disgust. Alaska turned to the skinny black man who had inaudibly displayed the desired reaction. “And you?” Alaska asked. The man continued to eye Paul for effect before turning to Alaska. “Yeah, I’m Todd,” he announced. That was all that needed to be said as far as Todd was concerned; actions would soon speak for themselves. He didn’t want to say more. “Well, Todd, do you have any firefighting experience?” Alaska asked, his voice again wrapped in condescension. Todd was accustomed to being sized up at a first meeting, and he took Alaska’s question as a challenge. “Man, I fought just about every way there is ta fight. Been fired on, and I’m still here.” Todd’s top lip curled upwards, and he brushed his hands over his chest with exaggerated pride, emphasizing that he was still whole. “The reason why is, I fire back.” He then cast a look of stern ruthlessness around the group that was soundly convincing to all but Alaska, who was too consumed with preparing a lecture to consider much else. Todd continued, “I can handle just about every fuckin’ thing that ol’ motherfuckin’ nature ‘cides to throw ma way... Tell ya that right now.” “Listen, buddy.” Alaska’s jaw tightened with irritation, his entire body tense, disgust glowing fiercely in his squinting eyes. He too had some things he wanted to set in stone, before there were any doubts. “Nobody out here can think they’re tougher than a fire. The second you feel you’re safe, Todd, you get killed by a falling tree, or lose track of a fire and get your butt burnt -- and mine, too! Fire will humble your ass, and you’d better learn that shit quick!” Alaska’s unsteady finger remained pointed at Todd while he searched for something more to add to his lecture, something from the years of lectures his own supervisors had given him. The moment Todd had noted Alaska’s unexpectedly hostile tone, he had readied his own display of hostility. He wasn’t about to let white-bread Alaska get his chance to continue the degrading lecture, especially not in front of the rest of the crew. His eyes widened before he whipped his words at his antagonist of the moment. “No, YOU listen, motherfucker! Ain’t nobody gone point a finger at me ‘less they ready to lose that finger an’ a whole lot more ‘long with it! You understand me, buddy?” Alaska lurched to his feet, not entirely realizing that his body language signaled a challenge that, for Todd, could only be met with physical violence. Alaska, however, was on the verge of unleashing his fury on his new foe, of this there was no doubt. Todd launched his body into a standing position, seeming as much machine as human. Most of the rest of the squad sat stunned, as if lightning had just struck amongst them. It had, in a way. Scott alone wasn’t shocked at what was taking place, and he merely raised his eyebrows and looked on in anticipation. “Standin’ up on me, motherfucker?” Todd snarled. Every muscle in his body had readied with purpose in an instant. His eyes darted around in search of weapons that he could use or that might be used against him. His face showed the blankness of insanity, while his eyes had the sharpness of those of an eagle about to dive at its prey. Alaska stood motionless, facing his approaching adversary. His face was a deep crimson. It looked like his entire head was a blood vessel ready to burst. Todd looked over Alaska’s shoulder at something in the distance, and halted abruptly. Alaska turned to see what it was that had caught Todd’s attention. Todd considered how stupid Alaska was to have just lowered his defenses, but it wasn’t a bluff; having stood up, the men were now in the crew boss’s field of vision. Alaska turned back to Todd. “Let’s just cool out a bit here,” he said, carefully enunciating each word. “This isn’t going to do you any good. You can’t scare me. All you can do is get sent home.” Alaska didn’t sound entirely convinced of what he was saying. Alaska’s words had no effect. Todd leaned toward a sweating Alaska and hissed into his face: “As long as you got what I tol’ you, we ain’t got no fuckin’ problem in the world. But that crew boss saved your ass jus’ now. ‘Member that.” Todd then laughed as he casually stepped away from the confrontation. “Fucker wants to ‘cool out,’ where the hell he from, anyway,” he scoffed. Outwardly, Todd appeared composed as he picked up his backpack and stepped over to a tree, trying not to show he was conscious that the squad’s eyes were still directed at him. He sat down, leaned back against the tree’s trunk, and opened his lunch bag, appearing critical as he examined the contents before pulling out a soft white sandwich. He took an aggressive, oversized bite and draped his arm over his raised knee. Feeling foolish standing up alone, Alaska finally decided to sit down. Frank watched the rivulets of perspiration stream down his boss’s face. Every muscle in Alaska’s body still seemed taut as Alaska sat down. Frank pitied him for a moment, but this feeling was soon accompanied by one of disgust for both him and Todd. They had both so easily given in to the basest of tendencies. They had been ready to use violence without even taking a moment to reconsider their decision. Each had wanted to physically punish the other for his words. It should be considered unconscionable. Alaska would have to watch himself around Todd if he had any sense, Frank thought to himself. He had seen young men like Todd in the cities and in his own high school, and he knew that it was wise to stay clear of these types, who were raised on a diet of violence and bravado. Inwardly, however, he realized, with slight alarm, that he thrilled at the prospect of further confrontations between the men. “You two boys done butting horns?” a woman asked, deftly breaking the silence. Alaska turned towards the voice. Ordinarily, he would have snapped at the woman in an attempt to set her straight as to how she should address her boss, but he was too preoccupied to be annoyed. His face remained blank. “I’m Alice. I’ve never fought fires or people before. So I just wanna say that it’s great to be working with you all...” Todd grunted and stretched out under the tree, pretending to ignore her. Frank, in contrast, smiled at Alice encouragingly as she started a conversation with him and Scott about being called to duty the day before. Alaska, meanwhile, erected imaginary walls around himself and sank into a more secure world. He leaned back against a fallen log, trying to feel comfortable. He tried to eat, but tossed his food aside in disgust. How did he get stuck with such an asshole? Why did things so often go wrong with the people he dealt with? It was those who tried to remain uncontrollable that were always the biggest problems. Why did people have to be that way? How could he possibly lead them if they wouldn’t just let him lead? He was their leader, and they sure as hell better get that straight soon. Todd finished his sandwich, and started in on a candy bar. The confrontation with Alaska had bothered him only momentarily. He had expected he would have to fight his way into a spot on the crew. It had been that way all his life. But he still felt out of place, he realized, almost like...