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Bryce turned to Zack and the crew. “Get struts off the truck to shore the building.”
The receptionist grimaced and rubbed her forehead. “This headache just isn’t going away,” she said, smacking a piece of bubble gum.
Zack frowned. “We need to get the gas shut off. Where’s the valve?”
The receptionist pointed. “Around the corner and out that door.”
“Let’s go.” Bryce hollered. “I want this place vented stat.”
“Copy that.” Eddie ran for the truck and Ridge went with him while Zack bolted out the side door.
He scanned the wall for the gas line then let out a groan. The metal pipes and wheel were bent and mangled. “No. No. No.” He gripped the wheel and tugged, but the mechanism didn’t budge.
“I’ve got no way to shut off the gas,” Zack radioed in. “It’s been compromised.”
“We need to move.” Bryce’s voice came through his earpiece. “Circle around the hall and cut into the wall on the other side and stabilize as you go.”
“Shores are in place,” Eddie replied.
Zack sprinted back into the building. Eddie handed him a pick, and he hefted the axe up and slammed it into the wall. Wood chips and dust flew to the ground.
“We need everyone to stay in the far back corner.” Eddie cranked the saw and bored into the wall.
The noise reverberated through Zack’s skull.
Zack kicked the wood with his foot and brushed away the plaster. The exertion left him winded, and he paused to let his breath even out.
“We’ve got a woman down,” Trace yelled, and grabbed the receptionist, who’d crumpled in his grasp.
Zack wiped the dust off his goggles. “We’re in,” he shared into the radio. Zack glanced down at his four-gas meter. The CO levels were climbing. They needed everyone out minutes ago.
He and Eddie ducked into the brightly lit room. Pain pricked at the edges of Zack’s brow, and he swiped at his forehead. He couldn’t succumb to the odorless gas—not before he got the other civilians out safely.
“If you can walk, go through the hole and down the hall.” Zack pointed to the makeshift entrance. Two men and women held on to each other’s arms and limped out of the room.
Zack took the hand of an older gentleman and helped him stand up. The man swayed, and Zack grabbed his forearm. “Easy there. Come on.” He swung the man’s arm over his shoulder and walked him into the hall. “Medic!”
Kianna raced to the man’s side and escorted him down the hall.
Zack turned around and held out his hand to another woman. “I’ve got you. Follow me.” He pulled her up, and she let out a cough.
Zack’s pulse throbbed in his head. The hole in the wall blurred, and he blinked several times to clear away the haziness.
He ducked through the hole behind the woman but misjudged the opening and slammed his shoulder into the corner. That was going to hurt later. His nerves shot off tingles up his arm.
“I don’t feel good.” The woman turned to him, and her frame wilted. Zack held on to her and lifted his hand to his radio. “I need backup.” Nausea swirled in his stomach.
“Everyone out. Now,” Bryce yelled into Zack’s earpiece.
“That was the last one.” Eddie rounded the corner. “I can—” He dropped face first to the ground.
“Firefighter down,” Zack yelled into his mic.
He couldn’t leave his buddy, but the room started to spin, and Zack stumbled to the side. He had to get out of here. He’d promised Naya he’d be back. He couldn’t repeat the past and fail her again.
Oh Lord. I need Your help.
Zack fell to his knees while stars danced in his vision.