CHAPTER 2
(KIDD) SEASON 13 EPISODE 4

I walked through the firehouse, trying to keep a low profile as I navigated the maze of lockers, gear, and busy firefighters preparing for their shift. The tension in the air was thick, almost palpable. I had heard whispers about the situation involving PIC of Ambulance 61, and it didn't take much to realize that this wasn't a typical drama. Something serious had gone down, and now the whole station felt it.

I had only been with Firehouse 51 for a few weeks, so I didn't know all the details, but I'd gathered enough from the scattered conversations to understand the basics. Paramedic  Violet —our PIC—had made a decision that no one in their right mind would ever want to be in the position to make. A C-section, performed on a deceased patient, to try to save the baby. Right now she was on desk duty EMS licence was out of the hands of the CFD which meant that it was up to the medical board.

"Hey what's going on?" I asked as I poured myself a cup of coffee which made everyone turn around to look at me with confused expressions on there faces which made me uncomfortable I was just trying to start up a conversation. disrupted something important, I couldn't help but feel awkward.

But then, Cap spoke up, breaking the tension with an easy smile. "Cruz's kid had his bike stolen. We're just trying to track it down," he said, his voice carrying a lightheartedness that put me a bit more at ease. He showed me his phone, which displayed a listing on Facebook Marketplace.

"Hmmm," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. "Honestly, you're better off using Snapchat. It was probably a kid who stole it, and what kid these days uses Facebook? That's an old-person app," I added, trying to keep the tone light.

Mouch chuckled from the back. Before anyone could respond, the bells went off.

"Engine 51, Truck 81, Ambo 61, child trapped, ladder rescue," the intercom crackled, and in an instant, everyone rushed out to the trucks, getting dressed and gearing up for the call.

"Time for your first Chicago fire," Mouch said as we climbed into the truck.

We sped toward the scene, sirens blaring, and when we arrived, the chaos was immediately apparent. The streets were crowded with people, and the air was thick with tension. I followed Lieutenant Kidd as we quickly got out of the truck.

"What's going on?" Kidd asked as we approached the crowd.

"My daughter's up there! The wind just... just picked her up!" The man was frantic, pointing up at the power lines. Everyone looked up in horror as we saw what he meant.

"Truck 81 to Main, we need a ComEd tech at our location ASAP," Lieutenant Kidd said into the radio.

"Mouch, raise the aerial," Kidd instructed, and Mouch replied, "Copy," before running over to the ladder.

"And Engine, get all these people back," Kidd added, as everyone nodded.

"Everyone, move back, please!" I called out, trying to get the crowd to clear the area so Kidd could work.

"Hang on, Riley. The firemen are here," the father shouted to his daughter.

"Hey, hey, we're gonna get her, but I need you to step back to safety. Come on," Kidd said, before we heard a burst of electricity above us.

"She knows what she's doing. I promise, your daughter is in the best of hands with Lieutenant Kidd," I said with a reassuring smile as I moved the parents back.

Before sparks began to fly, causing everyone to duck and fear to spread among the crowd, Lieutenant Kidd called out, "Ritter, be ready to hit that kite if it catches a spark."

"Copy that," Ritter responded, before running to position himself.

"Help!" the little girl screamed.

"Hang on, sweetheart," Kidd said, looking up at the child dangling from the powerline. If a spark hit, it could mean one of two things: fire or the child getting electrocuted—neither outcome was good.

"Mommy!" the girl cried, shouting for her mother.

Ritter returned with the hose, ready to douse any sparks that might hit the child's kite. Meanwhile, Mouch raised the aerial.

"Bullseye, Mouch. Alright, Grant, you're with me," Kidd said, which took me by surprise.

"Me?" I said, confused.

"I've heard stories about you. Now let's see you in action," Kidd replied, a smile on her face.

"Copy that, Lieutenant," I said, secretly screaming inside. This was one step closer to truly belonging at Engine 51. I quickly removed my turnout jacket and followed Kidd up the aerial.

When we reached the top, we approached the girl.

"It's okay, Riley," I said, smiling at her.

"We're going to have you down in two shakes, alright?" Kidd said, trying to calm the terrified girl as she struggled to free herself.

"But I've got to tell you something important," Kidd continued, speaking gently. "That line you're holding has electricity in it, so it can't hurt you as long as you don't touch us, and we don't touch you, okay? We won't. We'll get you down safely, I promise."

"What are they doing? She's going to fall!" the girl's mother screamed in panic.

"Hurry up and grab her already, will ya?!" the father shouted, his voice filled with fear for his daughter's safety.

"We're going to go for the leg farthest away from us, okay?" I said, looking up at the girl and offering a reassuring smile. "We do this all the time, okay? We're not going to let anything happen to you."

"Back a little, Riley," Kidd said as she carefully tried to secure the girl.

"There you go, perfect," Kidd added, glancing at me.

Just then, sparks began to flare again, nearly hitting us both.

"Alright, Riley, we're almost there. You've got this, okay?" I said. "Pick your leg up for me, alright, honey?" I said, focusing on her leg as I worked to secure it.

"We're almost there, Riley," Kidd said. "Okay, on the count of three, we're going to let go of the line. I know it's going to be okay. We've got you. We're not going to let you fall. Alright, here we go, you can do this."

With that, we made the final adjustments before fully securing Riley. As more sparks began to head our way, Kidd encouraged, "Okay, Riley, come on, you can do this. Let go, come on, Riley, you've got this!"

The scared little girl held on tightly.

"Riley, look at you. You're such a strong, brave girl. You've held on this long, but now you need to trust us. Please let go and come to me, okay?" I said, beginning to feel nervous that she might not let go. But then, she dropped. As she did, I grabbed her and pulled her onto the ladder.

"Yes, Riley!" I said, smiling at her before quickly cutting the kite away from her.

"Let's go, kid. I think your parents could use a hug, don't you think?" I said, as the little girl looked up at me and nodded.

I carried her down the ladder.

"Okay, okay," I said, lowering her gently. As she was about to run off to her parents, she stopped, turned back around, and hugged me tightly.

"Thank you," Riley said, holding me in a tight embrace.

"You're very welcome," I replied, smiling as Riley pulled away, grinning before running off to her parents.

"Nice job, Grant," Kidd said, as we all smiled, watching the family embrace.

"All in a day's work," I said, smiling as I followed everyone back to the engine.