Beckoning Souls (A Psychological Thriller) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the tables were turned and one of my men came to me with this? I'd pull them off the truck in a heartbeat.
    The alarm sounds, dispatching us to an apartment fire a few blocks from here. Closing the newspaper, I slide down the fire pole behind two other men and pull my turnouts on. Climbing into the passenger seat of the truck, we merge out into traffic. Shocker. No one moves out of our way or yields to the big ass red truck with lights and sirens going.
    Looking over my shoulder, I check on the probie. He looks like he's about to puke up his breakfast. It's the standard response, especially since this is his first live fire. I'd worry if he were acting any other way.
    We pull up to the scene. Flames are billowing out of a third story window. Bystanders are all around, pointing and taking pictures with those damn cell phone cameras. I grab the probie's arm.
    "Follow me. This is the real deal."
    He nods and tries hard to hide the fact that he's about to shit his pants. I remember my first fire, even after all of these years, and I don't envy the kid. The men stand around, waiting on orders.
    "There's no report of any victims inside. We'll run the hose up. Gonzales and Jones, you go in first and sweep the place. I'll keep the probie with me. You run into anything, radio it in. I want complete contact!" I yell over the roar of the fire and the men move into action, all scattering to their appropriate places.
    I feel the probie right beside me. We, along with my hose man, walk to the main point of entry. I fight off the horrible headache and we move in, taking the steps two at a time before we reach the third floor. The smoke is thick, and we put our masks on, already needing fresh oxygen. Kneeling, we stay as low to the floor as we can.
    My radio crackles and it's the captain. "There's a victim in apartment thirty-five! Gallagher, take the probie and do a sweep! Search and rescue is looking for another victim on the fourth!"
    I look over at the probie and nod. "You ready for this?"
    He shakes his head. He isn't ready, but it's time. The visibility is practically zero and I squint to make out the numbers on each door. Thirty-three, thirty-four, finally, thirty-five. We stop right at the threshold and I hold my hand up. "What's the first rule for opening a door, probie?"
    It takes him a second, but he says, "Check it for heat."
    "Right." We run our hands down it. "What do you think?"
    He double checks. "We're good. We can open it."
    I check the doorknob. It's unlocked, thank God. I don't think I have the energy to bust a door down right now. The door flies open and aside from some smoke, it appears that the fire hasn't made it down to this unit yet. Still, we keep to the floor. Yelling out, we identify ourselves and listen for any response. Nothing. I round the corner, checking closets and doors.
    Queuing my radio, I say, "Captain, is it a child or an adult?"
    "I don't have that information, Lieutenant."
    Of course he doesn't. Finally, I see a leg sticking out from under a wall that looks to have collapsed. It's the wall right next door to where the fire had spread, so flames are licking the ceiling and room, and moving fast. Crawling, I double check to make sure the probie is still with me. He's right behind me, and I reach out, pulling on the leg. It is a young female, about ten years old.
    Sticking my head under the rubble, I say, "Hey there. I'm Nathan with the fire department. Do you wanna come with me?" The probie can't fit with me, so he stays back. The girl is scared and resists at first. "I promise we'll get you out of here."
    "Am I gonna die?" she asks, her eyes full of tears.
    "No. We're here to help you."
    I am able to convince her and pull her. Thankfully, the wall gives way and I don't need assistance in getting her. I sling her over my shoulder and she is heavier than she appears. The probie watches on and we finally hurry outside, getting her to an ambulance. The air is toxic and I'm not sure how long she has been