As he staggered out of the drink-house, he could feel the unseen hands pointing at him. He could sense their stares and the disgust they felt for him. He tried to cower in on himself. He wanted to hide in himself_coward that he was But, even in the shadows and crevices of his being, they lurked_the sneers, the accusing fingers, the stares. He wrapped his arms around himself in his bid to find comfort and stumbled along the road. People flinched and avoided him as he moved forward, but he barely noticed them. All he wanted to do was drink the bottle of strong beer hidden in his jacket and sleep the guilt and nostalgia away. When he got to the alleyway where he normally slept, he gently brought out the beer and cradled it softly in his palms. He then twisted the cap open and raised the bottle to his lips, a lone tear sliding down his cheek.
Tony stood behind the fire truck, wiping his face clean of soot with a wet towel. He sipped cool water and splashed some on his face, appreciating the refreshing feel of the liquid coursing through him. He and his team of firefighters had been able to rescue everyone from the fire that had almost razed the White Opal to the ground. The emergency medical service team were already attending to the people who had been rescued from the fire. The Fire Warriors were renowned for their expertise and prowess in quenching fires and saving the day. There was never a fire that had beaten them down or claimed a victim since Tony became the head of The Fire Warriors. One of his men came to pat him on his back for a job well done and he smiled at the man, also offering words of encouragement.
The Fire Warriors started packing up their equipment and loading the fire truck. As they were going about this task, a call came through for Tony. He picked it and the smile that blossomed on his hard lined face showed that he was speaking to someone whom he cherished.
“How was today? Heard there was a fire at the White Opal.” The sonorous voice of his wife filtered from the speakers.
“Yes, but we were able to contain and control it from spreading. Fortunately, there were no deaths. And people who were affected by the fire are receiving treatment already.”
“Ohh, thank God for that. Umm, Tony, please I would love if you came home after packing up. Maybe, you can postpone celebrating with the other firefighters till another day.”
Tony understood the hidden message behind her request. After a victory against the fire, he and the other firefighters always went to celebrate their victory at the drink-house. Tony could never control himself whenever he got a taste of alcohol. Tony always got totally drunk and wasted after each celebration and always came home reeking of alcohol. He would speak gibberish and it always scared Ophelia, their only child and his treasure.
“I will, Lilian. Don't worry. No drinking today.” He promised.
He heard her sigh from the other end of the speaker before saying, “Alright then. Ophelia's expecting you. She wants to hear of your brave adventures into the fire.”
“I will be home soon.” He said, then hung up. The Fire Warriors were already gathered around him. He could see how expectant they were to celebrate their victory.
“Guys, I will not be going with you to the drink-house. I have been ordered to come home immediately.” He chuckled before continuing, “You can all go on to celebrate.”
The Fire Warriors all groaned in disappointment. “Come on, Leader. The celebration will never be complete without you.” One of them voiced.
They all chorused their agreement to this, even throwing pleas here and there. Tony thought within himself. It wouldn't hurt to have just one bottle, would it? He could always stop himself from drinking more. He eventually agreed to go to the drink-house with them. That would end up being his worst mistake in his entire existence.
Tony was on his fifth bottle and he was so wasted, he could barely make out the figures in front of him. He was taking a swig from his bottle when someone rushed to his table and dragged the bottle away from his hands. The person smashed the bottle on the ground and hefted him up. He looked drowsily at the person and could make out the outline of the face of the neighbor who loved across from them, Mr Green.
“You are here drinking. Your house is on fire.” Mr Green yelled at him. Tony could barely make sense of what Mr Green was saying. His house on fire? How could it be? It wasn't possible.
Mr Green scanned the table for water, which he poured on Tony’s face. That sobered him up a little.
“Your house is on fire, you idiot. Your wife and child is stuck in it.” Mr Green yelled again.
Those sentences registered in his brain and he was alert all of a sudden. His team members were all WASTED too_some even asleep in their seats. He was immediately stumbling out of the drink-house with Mr Green running after him.
“Get in the car.” Mr Green ordered. Tony fumbled the car handle, opened the door and got in. Mr Green didn't wait for him to close the door before he was speeding off like the hounds of hell were chasing after him. When they finally got to Tony’s house, the house was blazing. People were gathered round it, trying their best to snuff the fire from outside with water and sand, but it was having no effect. Tony ran out of the car and towards the house, but Mr Green was holding him back. The fire was too hot for anyone to approach. Tony struggled against him but he was weak against Mr Green’s strength. Tears started dripping from his eyes. He and his team mates were the only firefighting team in the town and they had all gotten drunk. Who told them that fire would always wait for them to be alert or ready? They had slacked from work and gone to drink while his house was razing down. It was all his fault
He looked at the window upstairs where Ophelia’s room was located and there he saw her face pushed against the window. Her hand was pressed flat against the glass and she was crying. That was the last image he would see of her. He sunk down into despair and grief and depression and he would never rise out of it again.
