Beneath the Mask
The building swayed slightly as you stood on the third floor, taking in the view from the window. It was a peaceful morning, and you felt a sense of safety in your little corner of the world. The aliens couldn’t get you here. But then, the sound of distress broke the calm. You could hear faint cries, and the smell of smoke began to creep in through the cracks. Your heart raced. This wasn’t just an ordinary day.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the hall. Panic surged as you realized you needed to escape. You grabbed onto the nearest support beam, trying to steady yourself. Just then, you heard a reassuring voice call out, “I’ll help you!”
You looked down to see a figure approaching through the haze, clad in fire-resistant gear.
“Alien!” you exclaimed, fear lacing into your voice.
For a moment, he paused, his expression softening behind the protective mask. “I promise, I’m here to save you.” You watched as he removed his helmet, revealing a kind face and warm eyes. “See, human,” he smiled. “I even have a name. It’s John.” With dexterity, he moved beneath you as the debris around you began to shift. “Just trust me,” he said with a calm confidence. “I’ll catch you.”
Taking a deep breath, you squeezed your eyes shut and let go. You felt the rush of air as you fell, and then, strong arms enveloped you, breaking your fall.
“See? You’re safe,” he said, gently setting you on your feet. You need to go to my partners, okay? They’ll lead you to the exit.”
The masks and gear made them all seem like the enemy.
He nodded, putting his helmet back on, ready to assist others. “See, it’s just a mask. We’re all human underneath.”
Gathering your courage, you made your way towards the exit, glancing back at John, his determination inspiring you to keep moving.
As days turned into weeks, you tried to find a sense of normalcy. The memory of John’s kindness lingered, igniting a spark of hope within you. Rumors began to circulate about a special project where firefighters were working together to rebuild communities, and your thoughts often drifted back to John.
“John!” you called, rushing toward him. The relief washed over you like a wave. “I didn’t know if I’d see you again!”
“It’s good to see you,” he said warmly, his eyes brightening. “I’ve been working on the fire recovery team. We’re here to help rebuild.”
You could hardly contain your excitement. Your grip around his waist tightened.
“I can’t imagine how scary this has been for you,” he said, rubbing his large hand up and down your back. “There’s a woman here, she’s a psychologist from the local hospital. I asked her here so that maybe she could help you and the others who are struggling.”
You look around and spot the odd woman out. “She’s nice?”
“She’s amazing,” he smiled down at you, “she even helped me through some of my own struggles. How about I walk you over? Introduce you?”
I nodded, trusting in John not to hand me over to any aliens.