Page 37 of Consumed By Fire
"Fuck!" I say as Dylan calls for backup.
"Charlie, talk to me, what's up? You'll be my eyes until I get there."
"The doors won't open, Dylan. There's a baby in the car crying,” I say, trying all the doors all over again. “What should I do?"
"The only way is to break the glass."
"Are you crazy? How?"
"I'll guide you. In your car, you should have some tools in the trunk on the left. I saw them the other day."
"Okay..." I say, running to my car. “What should I look for?"
"Anything pointed."
I open the trunk and search through the tools.
"Found it. Now what?"
"Take a stone. Can you find one?” he asks. I put the screwdriver on the car going toward the side of the road. I can see a stone and I go to get it, sliding. "Dammit!"
"Charlie! Talk to me. What's up?"
"I slipped on something,” I say, seeing the reflection on the asphalt. I smell my hand and panic assails me.
"Dylan, there's gasoline in here. I can't see where it's coming from but I've slipped on gasoline!"
"Is there any smoke?"
"No, I don't think so. I have a stone and a screwdriver. Let's hurry up. Guide me," I say, trembling. I'm afraid and the baby's screams are making me cry.
"Go to the glass of the door opposite the baby, point the screwdriver in the bottom corner, and give it a sharp blow,” he tells me. I try to figure out how to do it while looking down the road for someone coming at me. I see that David and Grace are trying to report the incident and I focus on Dylan's instructions.
"The shards won't reach the baby, will they?"
"It should crumble, not explode, Charlie. Trust me."
I do as he says and I hold my breath. The glass crumbles. I reach for the inside handle by rubbing my arm against a corner of the remaining glass. I get in the car and take the baby in my arms, trying to calm his cries. The little one is terrified and I feel guilty for scaring him even more. I take his bag and see that David and Grace are running toward me after warning the other cars. Greg, the deputy, is taking care of the rest.
"Grace, can you hold the baby, please? Take him to my car."
"Of course, honey,” she says, taking the baby.
"David, can you help me, please,” I say and he follows me, keeping an eye to make sure some madman doesn’t come upon us.
"Charlie, we'll be there soon," Dylan tells me, going back to talk to his colleagues.
I unfasten the passenger's belt and open the door from the inside. We manage to get the man out, though with difficulty.
"Can you get him to my car, please? Help is on the way."
"Who's with you, Charlie?” Dylan asks.
"Dylan, the driver's door is locked, damn it!"
I go up from behind again, trying to reach for the door. I managed to open it. "I opened it," I told him.
"You're doing great, baby,” he says and I start to hear the sirens. “We’re here, I'm coming,” he says. The air gets heavy. I feel almost numb and start coughing.