Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction. Certain characters are based loosely on people known to the author, other similarities to actual persons, places, and events are purely coincidental. This story also includes graphic homosexual acts, some by minors. If this material offends you or is illegal in your area please stop now. The name Aquatic Rescue Response has been used with permission of Aquatic Rescue Response of Maine, a Division of R and G Enterprises. Thank you.
Chapter Five: Smoke on the Water
BEE-BEE-BEE-BEE-BEEP!!! CAR ONE, AIR ONE, MARITIME ONE RESPOND TO SAND BAR LAKE FOR A BOAT ON FIRE, REPORTED ONE PI TWO SOULS. TIME OUT IS 1246.
Brad jumped up from the recliner and bolted to the locker room to quickly change into his wetsuit and survival harness. Luke signed off the computer, headed to the apparatus bay, hitched the boat trailer to the pick-up, and climbed behind the wheel. Mark and Robbie also jumped in. As Luke started the truck and hit the button to open the door he heard the whine of the helicopter firing up.
Car One, Dispatch, Car One, Maritime One responding.
Ten-Four Car One.
As soon as the trailer cleared building, Luke hit the siren and stood on the gas. A boat fire with two people aboard, one of them injured, was definitely a bad thing.
Air One, Dispatch, responding.
Ten-Four Air One. All units fire is reported to be still burning at this time.
Luke glanced in his rearview mirror just in time to see the chopper flash by. As the chopper pulled ahead of the truck Luke could see Brad hanging out the side door. Luke shook his head knowing his lover, although being all business, was enjoying himself. Leaning out the door Brad could see the heavy black smoke cloud billowing up from the lake. Swooping low over the lake Brad saw two people in the water and a boat burnt almost to the waterline. The chopper circled, Brad nodded to Mike the crew chief who spoke into his headset and unhooked Brad's safety line, the chopper flared, and Brad jumped the thirty feet into the water. The noxious smell of burning fiberglass and the acrid smell of burnt flesh permeated his nostrils. Just as Brad was jumping Luke pulled the truck to a stop at the boat launch. The area surrounding the launch was crowded with ambulances and fire trucks all with every possible red, white, and amber light flashing. Mark and Robbie bailed out of the pick-up to unstrap the boat then climbed aboard. Luke backed the truck and trailer with precision down the ramp between the vehicles parked in all directions leaving barely enough room for the truck and trailer. As soon as the boat was free drove back up and parked the truck before also climbing aboard the boat. Turning away from the launch area Robbie headed the boat toward the circling chopper while Luke and Mark made ready to recover the victims and Brad. Meanwhile, Brad had made his way to the people in the water instantly recognizing them as the boys he had met the day before. Both looked shaken up but the red-head, though barely conscious, was protecting his badly burnt right arm and was being kept afloat by the dark haired boy. Swimming over he removed the waterproof radio from its pouch.
Air One, I need the basket down here.
The helicopter banked and came to a hover over Brad and the boys. The rescue basket descended on its cable landing in the water near by. Brad loaded John into the basket, saw the crisp blackened flesh dangling from his arm and chest, swam away from it, waved to Mike, and the basket lifted from the water into the helicopter as the chopper started to fly off. Brad turned his attention back to the other boy.
Are you hurt?
No.
Pete croaked, shaking his head. A siren died off near by and the rescue boat glided to a stop not ten feet away.
Can you swim to the boat or do you need help?
Without answering Pete started paddling toward the boat. Reaching over the side Luke grabbed one shoulder of Pete's lifejacket and Mark grabbed the other, with one smooth motion the boy was aboard. Luke sat him down on one of the bench seats and started looking him over as Mark helped Brad aboard. Aside from being a little shook up and having some of John's blood on his hands, he seemed only to have a small cut on his leg from abandoning ship. As Luke dressed the wound Robbie piloted the boat back to the boat launch. Pete was obviously shocked by what had happened, stunned he sat back, watched Mark tend to Brad as he was also checked over. At the boat launch the fire and rescue vehicles had been joined by local police, state police, a county sheriff, a game warden (they have jurisdiction for boat and ATV accidents), and of course the media, adding to the excitement of the scene. Pete was passed into the waiting hands of the ambulance crew, just as he was being loaded into the ambulance he waved for them to stop, looked up at one of the police officers, and asked where John had been taken.
Directly to the burn center. You can go see him after you get checked out yourself.
Ok. What about my parents, they're at our camp?
We'll send someone to get them right away, which camp is it?
Pete told the cop, who turned and sent one of his patrolmen to get the Nueclo's.
Thank you for reading at least this far. This has is my first story I have been confident enough of to post online. Feedback and comments are welcome, however if you feel the need to flame I will, as the firefighter I am, assume that you are on fire and take appropriate action comenserate with my training. Thank you again. Merman_Resq@yahoo.com