Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

MELISANDRE

K nowing real sleep would elude her and the mist and fog rolling in from the harbor would hide her from prying eyes, Melisandre stepped out onto the balcony and called forth her drakaina. The fiery mist filled with color, thunder, lightning, and ice swirled all around her. She reared up and beat her wings against the air, lifting her into the night sky, ablaze with the shimmering hues of the aurora borealis. Curtains of green, pink, and violet light danced across the heavens, casting an ethereal glow over the city of Kodiak below and the pristine landscape that lay just outside the city limits. The icy peaks in the distance called to her as they glistened under the celestial display, creating a scene of otherworldly beauty.

Amidst the breathtaking spectacle of the northern lights, Melisandre soared gracefully through the frigid air, allowing the fog and the mist to shroud her in their embrace. Her scales shimmered in the colors of the aurora, reflecting and amplifying their radiance. Each beat of her powerful wings sent ripples of energy through the sky, as if she were a living extension of the spectral display.

Melisandre's eyes, a deep, luminescent blue, scanned the vast expanse below with a mix of curiosity and ancient wisdom that seemed a part of her DNA. Her long, sinuous body moved effortlessly through the air, navigating the currents with a grace that belied her size. She exuded an aura of both strength and serenity, her presence commanding and awe-inspiring, but there were none to see her.

As she flew, the aurora seemed to respond to her, the lights intensifying and swirling around her in intricate patterns. It was as if she and the sky were one, engaged in a silent, cosmic dance, each movement perfectly synchronized with the other. The spectacle was mesmerizing, a symphony of light and motion that seemed to transcend time and space.

Melisandre let out a low and mournful roar, a sound that echoed through the mountains and valleys, reverberating with a sense of ancient power. It was a call of both dominance and harmony, a reminder of the natural world's untamed beauty and the delicate balance that sustained it.

Below, the sparse wildlife of the Alaskan wilderness paused, sensing the presence of the majestic creature above. Wolves howled in response, their cries blending with Melisandre's roar in a hauntingly beautiful chorus. The world seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the enchanting interplay of light and sound.

As the night wore on, Melisandre continued her flight, her silhouette a dark, majestic figure against the vibrant canvas of the aurora borealis. She had heard tales of drakaina—especially those recently turned—becoming sky drunk and flying too far before plunging to their deaths. But she was not one of them. She was a guardian of the night, a living legend of the frozen north, embodying the mystery and magic of the Alaskan wilderness.

Eventually, the first hints of dawn began to creep over the horizon, the aurora's brilliance gradually fading in the encroaching daylight. Melisandre, sensing the change, turned her gaze towards the rising sun and slowly headed back towards Kodiak. She wasn't sure how much time had elapsed and wanted to make sure she wouldn't keep Tanner waiting.

With one last, powerful beat of her wings, she glided through the evaporating fog being eaten by the morning sun and ended her ethereal flight under the dancing lights of the aurora borealis with a graceful landing on her balcony. The sky brightened as the air around her returned to its serene stillness—the city and the surrounding wilderness once again shrouded in its quiet, timeless beauty.

The minute she landed she could hear her cell phone trilling. She glanced at the caller ID but didn't recognize the number. That didn't keep her from knowing who the caller was.

"Tanner?"

"There's a fire at an abandoned school just outside of town. A couple of teachers took his middle school students on an overnight field trip. At this point we don't know how many are trapped."

"Send me the coordinates; I'll meet you there. And Tanner?"

"Yeah?"

"Try not to be too heroic and get yourself killed."

He laughed, "Hellhound, remember?"

He ended the call and she stared at the phone. She had no problem remembering he was a hellhound. In fact, that was what worried her the most.

TANNER

The old school building was engulfed in flames, the inferno lighting up the early morning sky. Flames licked at the walls and belched thick black smoke, the crackle and roar of the fire echoing through the once-quiet hallways and deafening the cries of those who were trapped within. Tanner, his jaw set in grim determination, led his team through the front entrance. The heat was intense, but he barely felt it. He always had to remind himself that those who followed him did not have his natural protection. Tanner had a secret that no one on his team knew. It made him different from his fellow firefighters: he was a hellhound, immune to the flames that could so easily consume the rest of them.

"Stay close and keep low!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos via the comm units. Their firehouse had not been the only one called in, but even though he had lesser rank and fewer years of experience, the other team leaders bowed to his dominance and authority. Tanner never questioned whether he would be in charge; he just took over and led his team and others in a way that preserved life—not only that of the firefighters who followed him, but those they fought the fire to save. Tanner's team, a tight-knit group who trusted him implicitly, followed his lead without hesitation.

His heart pounded, not from fear, but from the weight of memories pressing down on him. The last time he'd been in a situation like this, he'd been a rookie, and it had ended in tragedy. A young boy Tanner couldn't reach in time had been lost to the voracious flames. The memory of failing that boy haunted him each time he donned his gear and yet spurred him to ensure it never happened again.

As they navigated the smoke-filled corridors, trying to stay as low as they could, Tanner's sharp eyes scanned the environment. Another advantage of being a hellhound, all of his senses were sharper and more refined. The fire seemed alive—hungry, ferocious, and relentless. Doors creaked and buckled, and the oppressive heat warped the walls. He pushed the memories aside, focusing on the mission at hand. They had to find the students and teachers still trapped inside.

"Tanner, we have movement up ahead!" said Jimmy through the comms unit, his voice cool and calm.

Tanner nodded and pressed forward. They reached a classroom where the frightened middle schoolers huddled together, their eyes wide with terror.

"It's going to be okay," Tanner said, his voice steady and soothing. "We're getting you out of here."

"There are others," the teacher started.

"We'll find them."

His expanded team moved swiftly, two of them peeling off to guide the kids out of the windowless room and back towards the exit. Tanner and the remainder of the team made a quick search of the room to ensure no one had been left behind. As he scanned the room, a section of the ceiling collapsed behind him, sending a shower of sparks and debris to the floor.

"Move, move, move!" he shouted, pushing his team forward.

They emerged into the hallway just as another explosion rocked the building. What the hell had the teachers been thinking? Tanner's thoughts flashed momentarily to the boy he couldn't save, and he shoved the memory down, vowing not to let history repeat itself.

Leading his team deeper into the school, Tanner's mind raced. The fire seemed more aggressive, almost sentient, as if it knew his secret and was challenging him. He felt its heat, not as a threat, but as a reminder of his dual nature—part man, part hellhound. A secret he could never share with those who followed him into danger.

"Tanner, this way!" Jimmy called, pointing to a blocked stairwell. The way to the second floor was choked with flames and fallen debris.

Without hesitation, Tanner took the lead. "We'll make our way up the maintenance ladder in the janitor's closet," he directed. "Stay close, stay low, and watch your footing. Make sure you don't lose sight of the person directly in front of you or behind you. Let's go."

The team moved as one until they hit the janitor's closet. "Jimmy, you take drag. I'll lead them up."

"Roger," said Jimmy.

Tanner grabbed the rungs of the ladder and started to climb, the team right behind him putting their hands where the feet of the person before them had been. Up and up they climbed, the heat growing more intense with each step. As they reached the second floor, Tanner felt a strange, yet familiar sense of invulnerability. The flames danced around him, but he moved through them with ease, leading his team to the trapped survivors.

The hallway was a chaotic symphony of crackling flames and crumbling walls as Tanner and his team reached a blocked classroom door. The heavy smoke made it nearly impossible to see, but Tanner's keen senses picked up the faint, desperate cries for help from within. They found the last group of students and their teacher huddled in another classroom, the doorway blocked by debris.

"Over here!" he shouted, directing his team towards the door. Flames danced along the ceiling, casting eerie shadows on the charred walls. They had to move fast; time was running out.

"Help me clear this!" Tanner ordered. "Jimmy grab the Halligan and hand me the axe. Let's get this debris out of the way!" Tanner ordered, his voice steady despite the urgency.

He and Jimmy sprang into action, working together like a well-oiled machine. The doorway was choked with fallen beams, plaster, and pieces of the ceiling, creating a formidable barricade. Tanner took a moment to assess the situation, noting the structural weaknesses and potential hazards.

"Start with the beam on the right," he said to Jimmy, pointing to a large piece of wood partially wedged against the frame. "Once it's moved, we can start clearing the smaller stuff. The rest of you keep moving the debris, we need to keep the hallway clear."

Jimmy swung the Halligan tool with practiced precision, embedding its forked end into the beam. With a grunt, he pried it loose, the wood splintering under the force. Tanner stepped in with the ax, chopping away at the smaller pieces that had fallen around it.

The firefighters' gloved hands moved quickly, grabbing chunks of debris and tossing them aside out of the way. The heat was intense and sweat poured down their faces despite the protective gear. Tanner could feel the fire's relentless advance, every second bringing it closer.

"Almost there!" Tanner encouraged, sensing the fear and determination in some of those who had followed him into what many might term Hell's inferno. He heard a loud creak above and glanced up to see a large section of the ceiling sagging dangerously.

"Hurry, we don't have much time!" he shouted. The team redoubled their efforts, working in a coordinated rhythm.

With a final, powerful yank, Jimmy pulled the beam free, and the remaining debris tumbled away from the doorway. Tanner kicked the door open, revealing the terrified faces of the teacher and several of the students huddled together.

"You're safe now," Tanner assured the teacher and students. His team quickly escorted them out, but Tanner lingered for a moment, staring at the raging fire. He could feel its energy, almost hear it whispering to him.

As they made their way out, Tanner heard the building groan ominously. They were running out of time. "Everyone out, now!" he commanded. His voice reassuring as it cut through the panic. "Everyone, follow us. Stay low, hang onto the firefighter who takes you and for god's sake, move quickly." The teacher tried to go first, and Tanner prevented him from doing so. "You got them into this mess, asshole, you're the last one out."

Finally, he allowed the teacher to grab onto Jimmy. "Get him out, kid. I'm going forward to take lead. Make sure we don't lose any stragglers."

"Will do. I've got your six."

Tanner moved to the front, where his experience and instincts guided them through the haze and blazing halls. The smoke was thick, and visibility was nearly zero, but he managed to successfully lead them back down the hall, his team forming a protective barrier around the group.

As they reached the exit, another explosion rocked the building, sending a shower of sparks raining down. Tanner shielded the group with his body as much as he could—grabbing and pulling them forward to safety. He knew his hellhound resilience would make him a bulwark against the inferno. They burst through the front doors just as the roof collapsed behind them, a massive fireball shooting into the sky. Outside, they were greeted by the cheers and relief of the evacuated students and teacher, and the grateful looks of his fellow firefighters.

Tanner felt a familiar pang of guilt and reservation. They saw him as a hero, but he knew the truth. He had survived the flames not because of bravery or skill, but because of the hellhound within him, the creature that couldn't be burned. As he watched the school burn, Tanner vowed to keep his secret safe, even as he faced the fires that haunted his past and shaped his destiny.

Paramedics rushed to the aid of those who had been trapped inside and those who had saved them. Outside, and a safe distance away from the school, they were met with cheers and relief from the other firefighters, the parents of the students and the press. The teachers and students clung to Tanner and the other firefighters, their gratitude palpable.

"We did it, Tanner," Jimmy said, clapping him on the back. "We got them out."

Tanner nodded, but his thoughts were already elsewhere. He cast one last look at the burning school, the flames reflecting in his eyes. He knew they had saved lives tonight, but the fire's relentless memory and his own inner conflict would continue to haunt him. He looked up to see Melisandre at the edge of the cordoned-off area. She gave a brief nod. The arsonist had struck again. As the hellhound within him simmered just beneath the surface, Tanner vowed they would find whoever had done this and bring them to justice.

He managed to wrangle his way through the growing crowd to reach Melisandre. "You're sure?"

She nodded. "Nothing I can commit to paper, but this is definitely part of the growing escalation."