Looking up at the dark sky brimming with ominous clouds, Ryan felt a sense
of foreboding creep up on her. She could feel it...something was amiss.
Shrugging her shoulders, she headed back into the station.
"Ryan," Durfee called. "Station 27 asked for you guys to cover a call," she
could see Bell and Wick already hurrying to the rig. She nodded and broke
into a slight jog. Hopping into the back of the rig, she gave each of her
partners a small smile.
"What's the call?" she asked.
"Person injured. 136 West Crawley," Bell said, never taking his eyes off
the road. Wick was sitting in the front seat playing with the gas
analyzer–again–and annoying the hell outta Bell. They arrived at the scene
to find a small cabin surrounded by tall grass and trees teeming with moss.
"Can you say ‘freaky'?" Wick cracked as they walked up the creaking stone
steps. They opened the front door, which was only half on the hinges, and
surveyed the cabin.
The whole main room consisted of one large, moth-infested sleeping bag in
the middle of the room and a large dust covered bookshelf filled with
ancient encyclopedias.
"I don't see anyone here," Ryan commented as they searched the house. "Are
you sure this is the right address?" Bell shot her a look. "Okay, okay.
Sorry," she said, throwing her hands up.
"What are you doing here? Who are you?" a venomous voice from behind
demanded. They spun around to see a young woman standing behind them. She
had dark curly hair that was spun wildly around her dirt-caked face. Her
eyes were fiery green, and her mouth was turned up into a sneer. She wore
ripped jeans and a filthy yellow sweater that was missing one sleeve. Her
feet were bare and looked totally black.
"Did you call 9-1-1?" Wick asked, surveying the girl. Her face softened a
little.
"Yeah, I did."
"What's your emergency?" Ryan asked, impatience creeping into her voice.
"I hurt my leg," the girl replied.
"Okay. Why don't you . . . sit down and I'll take a look at it?" Ryan said.
The girl sat down and Ryan crouched beside her. "Which leg hurts?"
"The right one,"
Checking it over, she could find only a small cut. "Your leg's going to be
fine...."
"Melissa," the girl said. "The name's Melissa. And I don't care what you
say. I have to go to the hospital. Take me there now," she demanded.
"Look...we don't HAVE to do anything," Ryan snapped. "I think you need to
work on your people skills," she retorted.
"Oh, you're one to talk. Who the hell do you think you are? The mistress of
the universe?" the girl snapped.
"Enough," Bell said. "Melissa, we can transport you only if you feel you
need medical attention."
"I do."
"Fine. Ryan, come on," Bell said. Grumbling, she helped the girl up. She
helped her over to the ambulance and loaded her up into the back. "Ryan, why
don't you sit in the front with me?" he suggested. He could already sense
the hatred she was developing for the young girl.
"Gladly," she said, giving him a grateful look. Wick slid in the back,
looking the girl over again.
"I need some personal information," he said softly, not wanting to spook or
alienate her. "Last name?"
"Don't have one."
"Address?"
"Don't have one."
"Any living family members?"
"No."
He was becoming quickly exasperated. "Listen. Do you live in that house
back there?"
"I guess."
"Where did you move here from?"
"I'm a born drifter. Was born and abandoned. Don't trust people. Don't need
them."
They pulled up at the hospital and Wick helped her out and through the
double doors. Griffith met them there.
"What do you think you're doing, Wick? We don't have time for you to bring
in these little tramps with nicks and cuts," he accused.
Wick pulled Griffith aside, out of ear shot. "Look, man. She's only 18. Her
whole family's dead. She has no one. Can't you just clean her up? Give her a
hot meal? Come on, man. She's all alone," Wick said, his eyes pleading with
the man.
"Okay, fine. Meal, bath, bed to sleep in. Tonight only," he gave in. "Then
we're releasing her and she can get home, or wherever, on her own."
Wick raced off to the room Melissa was set up in. "There letting you stay
for the night," he told her. She smiled softly.
"Thanks, I guess," she said, the smile quickly dissipating back to a scowl.
"I'm going to come pick you up tomorrow and take you home," Wick said. She
frowned and shook her head.
"No. I can get there on my own," she flipped over on her side, clearly
stating the conversation was over.
Wick left the room and sought out Ryan. He had a huge favor to ask her....
§¤§¤§¤§
"Ryan! Wick!" Durfee called to them. They slid down the pole and stood next
to the captain. "Bates is coming. {Author's Note: Bates is made-up. He's
going to be Wick and Ryan's ex-partner} I want you two to be fairly careful.
He is still pissed about being replaced by Bell," they nodded, looking at
each other.
"Yes, sir. When should we expect him?" Ryan queried.
"Ten to fifteen minutes," they hurried back to the room to inform Bell....
****
Jerry Bates pulled up at the station, the familiar hatred boiling up inside
him. He stood there, glancing up at the medic bedroom where they slept....
He saw Ryan's face appear at the window then quickly vanish.
"Did you miss me?" he said chuckling. He walked into the station and the
entire room fell silent. They all stared at the man that had evoked so much
fear into their lives.
// "I swear. This is not the last you'll hear from me! I will be back, and
it'll be your funeral. I won't let you forget me. Any of you," he said,
backing out of the station house.
"Not you, Wick," he said, pointing at him menacingly. "Or you, Ryan," he
smiled vehemently. "And especially not you, probie," he said pointing at
Bell. "And you firemen should watch your backs. I never forget a face,"\\
"Hello," he said, trying to appear docile. About that time, Ryan, Wick and
Bell came sliding down the pole. "My, my. Well, hello," he said. Wick
stepped in front of Ryan and held out his hand. Bates shook it. "Nice seein'
you again, Wick," he said. Walking to the side of Wick, he turned to face
Ryan. "Well, well. You have gotten even more beautiful," he said
affectionately. He always had a soft spot for Ryan. He looked at Bell, and
saw him protectively step between him and Ryan. "I see you've found yourself
a new pimp."
"Jerry, we get the drift. You're here. You made your point. So leave," Ryan
ordered angrily. Just who the hell did he think he was?
"Now, now, Ryan. Is that the way to treat your partner?"
"EX partner, Jerry, in case you forgot."
"Hmm. Touchy," he sniffed. "Well, probie, you finally grew up," he laughed.
Nodding towards Ryan he said, "good choice, man. This little number solved
all of my problems," Bell grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against
the station wall.
"Look you piece of shit—"
"Bell!" Ryan yelled, pulling him back. "Don't make him any angrier," she
rubbed his shoulders, trying to ease the tight muscles.
"Okay, Jerry. I think it's time to leave now," Durfee said. "You've worn
out your welcome."
"Fine. I can take a hint," he said, rubbing his sore neck. "Make sure you
know where your partners are," he warned. "You never know when one of you
might just . . . disappear," he laughed, waving his arm in the air in the
form of an arc. He strutted out of the station and hopped in his car,
speeding down the road.
Exchanging worried glances, the three plopped down on the couch. "Do you
think we should take what he said at face value?" Bell asked. he didn't know
Jerry as well as the other two did, especially Ryan. They shook their heads.
"It's hard to tell," Ryan said. "He's been hellbent on getting revenge . .
. I just don't know," he could see the tension on her face. It was mixed
with fear and worry. He knew how much Jerry got under her skin.
"Yeah. It's pretty scary, but I don't think he'll do anything. Jerry's all
bark and no bite," Wick said. He was trying to convince himself of that, and
he only hoped he was doing a better job on them then he was on himself.
§¤§¤§¤§
"Okay, Ryan. Now remember...be nice. It's only temporary. Until we can get
her a job," Wick had somehow convinced Ryan to allow Melissa to stay
temporarily with her. Now he was prepping her on how to act. The girl was
annoying and rude, but was also starved for attention, and human contact.
"I know. Okay, Wick. I'll try and be civil to her," she said, even though
she had no clue how THAT was going to be accomplished. They pulled up at the
hospital and walked into Melissa's room. She sat on her bed, in the same
clothes (cleaner but just as ratty). Her hair had been tamed by some water
and a rubber band. She was actually a very pretty girl behind all the dirt
and grime.
"Melissa, come on. Kathleen is going to take you home."
"Do I HAVE to live with her?" the girl whined. Pretty, but immature.
"No," Ryan said quickly. Wick shot her a look and she recanted. "Sorry.
Come on. Let's go," grumbling, the girl stood and followed her.
"I don't see how I'm supposed to fit into any of your clothes. Have you
ever heard the story of ‘David and Goliath'?," the girl cracked.
"Is it my fault you're short?" Ryan countered. "Ladies, ladies," Wick
scolded playfully. "Melissa, I'm sure you can find something. Ryan . . .
deal, okay?" she grumbled from the back but said nothing. The next few weeks
were going to be fun...
§¤§¤§¤§
Jerry watched as Wick pulled up in his driveway. Bell was sitting on the
front steps. They started speaking, and he struggled to make out what they
were saying.
"How did it go?" Bell asked. Wick rolled his eyes.
"I can see it now, man. They're gonna kill each other,"
"Ryan never has been one to deal with brats."
"Nah. But she just doesn't understand the severity of Melissa's problems."
He'd heard enough. Walking slowly and quietly from his hiding place, he
headed to his car and pulled away. Now for Ryan's place....
§¤§¤§¤§
He had a plan. He knew everything was set. Now all he had to do was put
phase one into effect.
****
