Fifteen years later:
Thick, black smoke filled the third story hallway like a three-dimensional curtain that never ended. Oppressing heat slammed Davey King to within an inch of the carpet, hoping to get some relief just a few steps away from the stairway door he and his partner, Joe, had entered seconds earlier. "Man, this is hot. Hotter than it should be," Davey thought to himself. Using his portable radio he called out to Command, "This is Division Three. We need ventilation on the West end of the hallway. We have heavy heat and smoke. Progress is slow.""Command copies," came the acknowledgment.Pressing on, the two youthful lads slithered down the hallway towards the middle of the apartment complex, where they had witnessed fire showing from two adjacent rooms upon arrival at the scene.It's time.Amid the noise of equipment being dragged on the floor and heavy breathing in his airpack mask, the voice was loud and clear in Davey's ears. It's presence startled him, stopping him in his tracks, causing Joe to run smack into him from behind, sending both of them sprawling on their faces. Shaking his head in disbelief, Davey picked himself up and continued on.It's time for the change.This time there was no mistaking it. He wasn't just imagining things, Davey was hearing the gentle, quiet whisper of God speaking directly to him, personally. As if his soul was listening, he submitted his attention.It's time for the big change of heart. You were created to be a part of something much bigger than any of your wildest dreams could fathom. This is the job you were made for. This is the job you were born to love. It's time to start loving it so I can use you to make the difference. I will show you great things you can be a part of that the world can not provide. It's time to become who you were born to be. It's time for the big 'Yes'. Just say, 'Yes', Davey."Yes, Lord," Davey replied, every part of him shaking violently. Now, come in here. "Where? In this door?" Davey wondered, reaching for the doorknob, finding it locked. "This is it," Davey turned to tell Joe. "Let's do it." Muscling up, Davey stood up and cocked his entire body as if he was winding up a giant spring. The door jamb exploded and the hinges gave way at the same time, dropping the door away from them like a slab. Fire raged all about the room, hissing, crackling, and popping as it consumed anything it could find. Suddenly, Davey shook no more. A peace came over him like he had never felt before. Strength poured into his veins. The fight was on.Davey maneuvered the Assault Nozzle back and forth and in circles above him, Joe assisting his every move with an opposite force, allowing the large, 2 1/2" handline to bend at Davey's will. They worked well together and seemed to know what the other was thinking. It was like their eyes saw the same things and sorted them out in the same order. "Okay, let's move!" Davey's voice rang out to Joe. With a giant grunt and pull from each of them the hose submitted around the corner and advanced ahead. All of the physical fitness was paying off at this point. All of the times they really didn't feel like working out, or had something interrupt their schedule, one of them seemed to always step up and motivate the other to get into the weight room. They worked hard on their fitness, considering it a vital part of being able to do their jobs the best way possible, and pushed each other to maintain. Now, the hose stream was an extension of that effort, penetrating and sending objects ricocheting about the room as the volumes of water interrupted the chemical chain of combustion, magically transforming searing heat into dispersing clouds of vapor and steam. Sheets of drywall disintegrated, bringing down the ceiling covering and the pink insulation hidden behind it. The next room over brought little resistance, as well, to the dominating supply of cooling agent. Davey pushed the nozzle bale forward as the rooms darkened down into a docile, non-threatening pile of melted rubble."This fire is under control," Davey relayed over the radio. "We will be checking for extension.""Command copies, but we still do not have an 'All Clear' on Division Three," Command informed.After using their Thermal Imaging Camera to find the few hot spots to be extinguished, they pulled their hose back into the hallway and dropped it to the floor. The smoke and heat now mostly dispersed, they were able to walk upright as they checked each consecutive room for occupants still in the building. Davey and Joe became relaxed and lightheartedly joked about the other's actions during the fire attack, as each apartment proved vacant. Suddenly, the Voice returned, silencing Davey back into sober thinking.There's more.Holding his hand up, he motioned for Joe to pause in talking for a moment. Hanging his head down a little, he closed his eyes to listen.There's more to this dream. In here... It would be the last of twelve doors they had been through on the third floor. As they paused in front of #316 for Davey to compose himself, the Voice clearly defined, "She'll be the One."Davey's heart skipped a beat as his eyes popped open in excitement. There was someone still left in here? Just the thought of a potential rescue sent adrenaline into his bloodstream. The door was locked. With a swift, powerful front kick, the door violently slammed back against the wall on its hinges. Davey and Joe quickly scanned the living room, which was fairly clear of smoke, and proceeded into the bedroom as they had done in all of the previous apartments. Time seemed to stand still as Davey's eyes locked on to a young adult female still in bed with a full-leg cast, propped up by pillows. With one swipe of his sooty fire glove, Davey attempted to clear his vision through the blurry facepiece. As he took two numb steps in her direction, her sweat-matted, long brunette hair surrounded brown, longing eyes and a weak smile She raised a limp hand and reached out to her rescuer. "Don't you ever knock?" her soft, quavering voice jokingly accused.