Q is also for Quiet
It was quiet, too quiet. He listened
for something, a sound, anything to tell him he was still alive, but again there
was nothing. There had been nothing since his air tank beeped a while ago,
indicating that it was empty.
He had managed to pull the mask from his face, hoping the air around him was
safe to breathe. He took a few shallow breaths to test the air. So far so good.
He looked around but all he could see was darkness punctuated every so often by
an even deeper darkness. The shadows of the jagged edges of the concrete and
bricks lent an eerie makeup to the small space. The dust had mostly settled, but
he could feel the grittiness in his mouth and taste the chalky powder on his
tongue.
He wondered if sound had shadows; if there could be something quieter than
quiet.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Well, at least there was air. It was
cold and damp, sitting heavily around him. The chill was penetrating his turnout
coat and settling against his skin. A small shiver claimed his body.
Once he knew there was enough air he called out to his friends, hoping they
could hear him. The only answer he got back was quiet. Now he knew that this
quiet also meant solitude and isolation.
He took inventory of himself, as much as he was able, at least. He knew he
wasn't going to be climbing out of there on his own, that's for sure. Legs
aren't moving, but there's pain so that's a good sign. He laughed at the
absurdity of the situation and the mirthful laugh soon caught in his throat and
became something he didn't like.
`Stop it,' he admonished himself,
that's not helping matters any.
He had no idea how long he had been there. He raised his left arm to look at his
watch before he thought about the darkness again. He checked his pocket for a
flashlight then remembered he had it in his hand when the explosion hit. He had
no idea where it landed. It certainly was not within his reach right now. There
was no way he could tell what time it was. He let his arm flop down in
frustration, hitting a piece of debris as it fell to his side. The noise of
cascading bricks and mortar pierced the darkness, shattering the quiet that
surrounded him.
How long had it been? How long since the last time he thought those same words.
It was very difficult to judge time in the dark and quiet of his small space. He
took a deep breath once again and inhaled some of the harsh dust still stirring
around. He wondered what it was doing to his lungs but that was pushed to the
back of his mind as he let himself be glad that the air was breathable at all.
He wasn't sure how long he slept or was it unconsciousness that had claimed him.
It was still dark in his little space and the shadows remained. As did the
quiet.
Another deep breath. He noticed there wasn't quite as much dust in the air now.
`Okay, guys,' he thought. Enough is enough. `Hello,' he called into the quiet
darkness. Still no one answered.
He rested his head back on the hard surface that served as a pillow and his
thoughts went back to the small bed and lumpy pillow in the dorm at the station.
What he wouldn't give to be there now. He'd even welcome the snores and soft
mumblings of his shiftmates trying to get a little sleep before the next call.
He closed his eyes as a shock of pain washed over him. He allowed a groan to
escape, knowing there was no one nearby to hear it.
His body was jolted into wakefulness by a loud crash. He opened his eyes and for
a moment he concentrated on listening. Nothing. He sighed, deciding it was all a
dream until he heard it again. This time the crash was followed by a beam of
light and his name as it was shouted into the space.
He was never gladder for the loss of the quiet and solitude than he was at that
moment.