Chapter 4:
Joon's routine in the firehouse began to feel oddly natural. Days were filled with training, maintenance, and moments of laughter with the crew, while nights were an unpredictable mix of quiet shifts and sudden emergencies.
Though his body responded to the tasks with an ease that surprised him, his mind struggled to settle. There were moments when he felt like he belonged, yet the question of why he was here always gnawed at him.
One crisp morning, as the sun rose over Seoul, the crew gathered in the breakroom. Kang had brought in a box of fresh pastries, and Jihoon was recounting a ridiculous story about a rescue involving a cat and a very stubborn homeowner.
"…And then the guy tries to charge me for breaking his vase!" Jihoon exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "Can you believe that?"
The room erupted in laughter, but Joon's smile faltered as a faint headache began to build behind his eyes. It wasn't pain—it was more like pressure, as though something unseen was trying to push through.
"You okay, rookie?" Mina asked, nudging him with her elbow.
"Yeah," Joon replied quickly. "Just tired, I guess."
Before anyone could press further, the alarm blared.
"Suit up!" Captain Seo shouted, her voice cutting through the commotion.
The crew sprang into action, donning their gear with practiced efficiency. Joon followed suit, pushing the strange sensation aside as they climbed into the truck.
The call led them to a commercial building on the edge of the city. Smoke billowed from the top floor, and a crowd had gathered outside, watching anxiously as flames climbed higher.
"Multiple people still inside," Seo briefed them as they pulled up. "Focus is on evacuation. Stay sharp."
Joon's heart pounded as he followed his team into the building. The air was thick with smoke, and the heat pressed against his skin even through the protective gear.
"Rookie, with me!" Seo ordered.
Joon nodded, gripping his axe as they moved up the stairs. The screams and shouts from the upper floors grew louder, blending with the roaring fire.
On the third floor, they found a group of office workers huddled near a window, trapped by flames on both sides.
"Help is here!" Seo called, waving them over.
Joon stepped forward, guiding a woman and her child toward the stairwell. The boy clung to him tightly, coughing into his jacket.
"You're doing great," Joon said softly, his voice steady despite the chaos around them.
They reached the stairwell just as a loud crash echoed from above. A section of the ceiling collapsed, sending sparks flying.
"Move faster!" Seo urged, her voice sharp.
Joon glanced back, ensuring everyone was accounted for. That's when he saw her—a young woman crouched behind a desk, her face pale with fear.
"Captain!" Joon shouted. "There's someone else!"
"Go!" Seo commanded. "I'll cover you!"
Without hesitation, Joon sprinted toward the woman. The heat was unbearable, and the smoke stung his eyes, but he didn't slow down.
"It's okay," he said, crouching beside her. "I'm here to help."
She looked up at him, tears streaming down her soot-covered face. "I can't… I can't move…"
Joon didn't hesitate. He scooped her up in his arms, ignoring the protests of his muscles, and carried her toward the exit.
The building groaned ominously, and a wave of heat surged past them as another wall gave way. Joon pushed forward, his legs burning with effort, until finally, they burst out into the open air.
Paramedics rushed to take the woman from his arms, and Joon collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
"Nice work, rookie," Seo said, crouching beside him. "You've got guts."
Joon nodded weakly, his vision swimming. The headache from earlier returned with a vengeance, and for a moment, he thought he might pass out.
But then, just as suddenly, it passed.
Later that evening, the crew returned to the firehouse, exhausted but alive. The rescue had been a success, and everyone was in high spirits.
As they settled in for a late dinner, Joon found himself sitting quietly in the corner, staring at his hands.
"You did good today," Hyunwoo said, sitting down beside him.
"Thanks," Joon murmured.
"You're still figuring things out, huh?" Hyunwoo asked, his tone gentle.
Joon looked up, surprised.
"I've seen that look before," Hyunwoo continued. "You're carrying something heavy. Just know you're not alone."
Joon nodded, unable to find the words to respond.
As the others laughed and joked around the table, Joon felt a flicker of warmth. He still didn't understand why he was here or how long this life would last, but for now, he had a purpose.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.