The principal quickly filled them in as they followed her through the school and out to the playground. Though she was short, she could walk as fast as any of them, and the firefighters found themselves quickening their gaits to keep up with her.
By the time they made it to the yard, it was clear the minor wasn’t in immediate danger. The firefighters of Company 62 walked in, stopping short as they took in the scene in front of them.
Lucas scanned the area, taking in the situation. Ahead of him was the play area – fenced off from the rest of the yard. And inside that was the playhouse the principal had referred to. On top of it, he could see a woman, bare legged with a short skirt, and she was holding a child whose torso was emerging from the playhouse’s chimney.
He quickly swept his gaze around the rest of the area. The playground was clear of children, no hazards he could see. Nodding at the crew behind him, he pushed the gate open and walked over to the brightly painted playhouse, looking up at the woman and child.
A First Grade teacher, and a seven-year-old male, according to the Principal, and only one of them was actually stuck. The other was keeping the scared child company.
“Are they gonna use the Jaws of Life on me?” the kid was asking, his voice high. “I saw them do that on TV once. Those things can cut through metal and glass.”
The teacher shook her head, her dark hair swinging from side to side. “I don’t know, but it will all be okay. These guys know what they’re doing. You just have to listen to them.” She shifted positions. The movement made her skirt ride up, revealing smooth thighs. Lucas had to work hard not to look at them.
Instead he looked up at her face and recognized her immediately. The woman from Megassey’s. He blinked in recognition.
Bringing himself out of his thoughts, Lucas turned to the two crewmen who were standing behind him. Matt Greyson, the driver-engineer and Simon Shaw, a qualified EMT.
“Okay, we need to do this quietly. Our first job is to reassure the child, I don’t want to make him panic.”
Shaw and Greyson nodded.
“Shaw, you and I are going to go and assess the situation,” Lucas continued. “Greyson, can you get me a ladder?” Taking a deep breath, he looked back up at the teacher and her student.
“Ma’am, what’s the child’s name?” He didn’t need her to tell him, but it was an easy way to start the conversation.
“It’s Carter,” she said, her voice steady. “Carter Davis.”
He smiled up at the boy. “Hey, Carter.”
The boy stared back at him with wide eyes.
“And your name?” he prompted the teacher.
“I’m Ember Kennedy.”
“Are Carter’s parents here?”
She shook her head. “They’ve been alerted and are on their way. They both work at Newton Pharmaceuticals.”
Newton Pharmaceuticals was on the other side of town. If they’d been contacted at the same time the emergency call was made, and left right away, they would be here soon. “Okay.” He glanced back at the Principal. “Can you let me know when they get here?” Then he moved his gaze to his colleague. “Shaw?” He tipped his head. “Can you check Carter inside the house?” He wanted Shaw to look the boy over. Being stuck in a metal box for any length of time could cause injuries to his body or legs. By checking him over, Shaw would be able to tell if he was okay.
“Sure thing, Lieutenant.”
Greyson returned with a ladder, leaning it up against the house. The structure was small enough that they didn’t need to extend it. Lucas climbed up, stopping when he was head level with the apex of the house. He gave the teacher and child what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
“Hey. Are you guys holding up okay?”
The teacher swallowed hard, but didn’t smile back. “I’m fine. As for Carter?” She nodded her head at the child. “He’s a little stuck.”
Lucas tried not to laugh at the understatement. “Hey, buddy. You think you can hold on for a while?”
The child nodded, but said nothing.
“I’m Lieutenant Russell, but you can call me Lucas.”
Another nod.
“Me and my friends here,” he looked back at the crew on the other side of the fence, “we’re gonna get you out of there. I don’t want you to worry or panic, okay?”