Stranger Angel

this is based on the true story of a firefighter in my department. His compassion for these people gives me hope that this world still has caring, loving, and compassionate people in it and inspires me to be one of them.

Lights flash on the highway…

Its been a long morning, he had a fire call in the middle of the night

It was a fire alarm activation somewhere in the little town

He got stuck there with his crew waiting for the team inside to find the source of the alarm

It turned out to be faulty ceiling wires

Tired and weary they head home around four, he crawled back into bed around four thirty

The alarm clock went off at six, he rose once again and dressed

Now on the highway, he tries to stay awake

 Shielding his eyes as the car passing him slows down slightly and flashes his headlights twice

He didn’t see a cop as he passed where the other vehicle had just been

More cars flashed their lights as they passed in front of him

He looks for blue lights but all he sees down an embankment is a car smashed against a tree

He knows he will be late for work as he pulls over with his tires squealing from the slam of the brakes

But the blood and body are more important than being on time today

He dials 911, calling in his own department and ambulance

He gives his location and the situation and quickly hangs up, rushing down the snowy slope

Hanging out of her car window, she screams, bleeding from her head, mouth, and nose it seems

With strong but gentle hands, he grabs her around the waist and helps her down

As he’s laying her down, she cries, “my baby, she’s still in the car”

Quickly, he runs around the broken vehicle, crunching glass beneath his boots

“I cant find her,” he yells, searching for a carseat in the backseat

He straightens, wondering if maybe the child flew through the windshield

Then he sees the young teen between the trees

It doesn’t look good, her head and body are limp, unmoving, unnveringly silent

 He sprints over and goes to her head, calling her, unconscious, her body is still

 Grim faced, he picks up her head and leans it against his chest,

 Her hair brushes the emblem of a cross that bears the name of his firedepartment and ems agency

His sweatshirt stains with her blood as he untangles her from the tree

 He takes off his jacket to keep her from the snow and carefully lays her down

Blocking out the horror and panicked cries of the mother, he listens for breath sounds

The sirens blare and he knows his brothers will soon be there

Two slow breaths into a bloody mouth he gives

Putting two experienced hands together he pumps on her chest once, twice, three times

She begins to respond, taking a deep breath and choking

He turns her on her side to keep her from aspirating

She coughs as he yells for the paramedics to bring the stretcher down as the ambulance pulls up

After a long trek in the snow they reach his side and he helps strap her in

Covering her with blankets, he lays a hand on her head

“your going to be alright, you keep awake until they get to the hospital, you hear?”

She nods as they put a collar on her neck, strap her down and carry her up the slope

Into the waiting ambulance she is loaded, and he helps to carry up the mother

His work pants dragging in the few inches of snow, he is wet and cold

With numb fingers he helps buckle the straps and smiles as the mother thanks him

“your a God send,” she says, as they wheel her to the ambulance

“No, I’m just a stranger with a big heart maim,” he replies.

“I wish more strangers were like you, “ she says

“you have no idea how many cars passed before I saw your truck pull up.”

“that old piece of junk?” he jokes with her as he lifts the legs of the stretcher

“when I saw you get out, I knew it was God telling me not everyone has lost their compassion.”

“its just doing my duty, maim,” he says humbly, backing out of the back of the rig

“well keep doing your duty, you give me hope that this country still has people with compassion

Kindness, and love, even for strangers.”

“will do maim,” he nods as they shut the back of the ambulance.

“good job,” chief says as the firefighters pile back into the fire truck,

“if it wasn’t for you, I don’t know who would have stopped. You want a ride home?”

“Nah, I’ll take my piece of junk back, I got to go find a way to get this blood off my hands.”

“ok, hope your boss understands,” the chief replies, pulling himself into the truck

Waving, the chief drove off, the ambulances were already long gone

He took out his cell phone and dialed his boss’ number

“Bob?” he asks as the person says hello

“Robert, you out saving the world again? You’re late for work, second time this week.”

Robert smiles to himself as he remembers the woman’s words

“just doing my duty,” he replies as he hangs up.

The sun glinted off the back of his truck as he drove away and two lives continued to live one more day 

Reviews

[Spat Queen]

This is truly a moving tribute to lifes heroes such as these who save lives and choose to take risks to help others willfully everyday. This in every way represents the contest. This shows a compassionate side to human nature that seems at times moving towards becoming obsolete. Beautiful work.

[BrokenButterfly]

this was very touching. thank you for sharing this well written story of hope and kindness.