Chapter 1
Sopping clothes weigh him down heavily, the burn of saltwater in his eyes and lungs.
It's all worth it to see the people around him able to sit and catch their breath.
To just exist outside of immediate danger.
It's not something to take lightly after battling the retreating rapids of a tsunami.
"Is everyone ok?
I'm a firefighter.
If you're injured, I can help."
Maybe it is a little overkill but he checks even minor scrapes and bruises, smiling and nodding his head as several faint voices whisper their thanks to him.
And Dan, oh, he has the biggest smile on his face as he waits for him.
He's probably gonna ask to be taught first aid the second he gets him home.
Home...
Alex.
"That was amazing, Jensy!
You saved them all!"
The small twist of his lip is all he can offer as he concentrates.
One foot in front of the other, he navigates his way back to the boy.
The very truck seems to vibrate with the water rushing past and his shoes are drenched with muck and sand.
He's nearly there when it happens.
The truck lurches as something slams into it and Jens feels it like a physical push.
There's not even a moment to catch himself before he sees Dan rolling over the side.
Still off balance, Jens slams his left heel onto the roof, heaving forward to catch the collar of that yellow shirt.
And there's no conscious decision making here.
It's all instinct, and he's grateful for it.
If he'd given his overzealous mind the chance to consider another way, he would have missed his shot.
Instead, his arms hurl the boy into the hands of another survivor...
And his right foot misses the edge.
The icy cold seizes his muscles, punching the air from his chest and he desperately claws for anything solid in the blurry dark.
His ears popped when the water rushed in but now, above the roar, Danny's cries ring from every direction.
He's taking a breath before he's even sure he's broken the surface.
His grasp is still spiraling, searching for something to steady him.
There's a moment when he thinks his finger brush a sturdy mass, and then the object is piercing into his stomach, his screams drowned out by the waves.
He blacks out.
He must have.
It's the only explanation for why it's suddenly dusk, the flooded pier is far off in the distance, and his fingers are raw and red as they clutch the rough bark of the tree keeping him afloat.
Debating whether to swim back to land is pointless.
A particular roll of water shifts the branch impaling him and he's losing consciousness once again.
The sun has already set by the time Alex has a chance to text Jens.
His shift ended an hour ago but there's no way he can just pack up and head home right now.
Not at the rate survivors are coming into the field hospital.
This is what he was trained for.
It's what he needs to do.
And, thankfully, he knows his boys will understand.
Barely half a word gets typed when another shuttle comes by, and Alex pockets his phone to help any injured down.
He's surprised how mobile most of them are, if maybe mildly dehydrated.
It's a good surprise.
They're already stretched thin on supplies and medics.
One more glance over the group and he decides to head back to more serious patients in the tents.
But then a certain yellow shirt has him pausing.
"Danny...?" The woman carrying the child rubs circles into his back, her eyes tired.
A slight turn and he can see the face dug into her shoulder, hear the soft cries muffled against her shirt.
Danny
Hey!"
He can only imagine what he looks like as he charges through the crowd so he doesn't blame the woman for flinching away, hugging Dan a little tighter.
Luckily, his son heard him.
"Dad?" Dan aims those red, puffy eyes at him and Alex breaks.
"DAD!"
The second Dan' arms wrap around his neck, his legs give and they crash to the ground, Alex absorbing every sob into his shoulder.
"Dan?
Baby, what are you doing here?
You were supposed to be at the movies with-" Everything stops.
His lungs sit stiff in his chest, and he can no longer feel the beat of his own heart.
Somehow, his eyes manage to meet the woman's once again and he finds her's full of tears.
Everyone on the shuttle stands motionless, heads down and silent.
Jens?"
She shakes her head.
"I'm
sorry."
Breathe.
"He saved us.
All of us."
In.
"But, then something hit the truck."
Out.
"And he
fell
His body trembles as he tries to keep an anchoring grip on his son.
Dan' small hiccups bounce against his ribs.
"Alex."
He blinks a few times, feeling more than hearing the jaggedness of his breath.
His back straightens like it always does.
Like it was trained to do.
"Yes, Captain?"
Something painful passes over Gabe's face, and he has to look away.
He needs to focus.
Val and Sully kneel beside him, cautious in their movements.
"Hey, buddy.
Me and Val are gonna check Dan over, make sure he's ok.
We need you to let go, though, so we can get to him.
Can you do that for us?"
The searing tautness of his muscles startles him and he realizes just how hard he's squeezing.
Sorry, Dan, I- Sorry..."
"It's ok, Dad.
I'm scared, too."
Watching them take his son to a nearby cot is only so much of a distraction.
With nothing in his arms, Alex totters on the edge of a breakdown.
"Alex." Gabe kneels beside him.
"I think you should take Danny home.
He needs you."
Horror surges through his veins.
"I-...
I can't leave without-."
I know, Alex.
But, Dan-"
"No!" Every head swings to the child on the cot.
"I'm fine!
Dad, you have to stay here and find him!
." By the miracle that is his son, Alex finds enough strength in his legs to get up and walk towards him.
"Please, Dad.
He's lost because of me.