🪓 𑁤 ˎ Iᴠᴀɴ ˏ ⋆ ᚜Bᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪɴɢs⧽ ⁰⁰

The nighttime city seemed exhausted, breathing out of habit. Ivan traveled silently in the fire truck, clinging to routine to avoid thinking too much. His problems were still there; they hadn't disappeared, he'd only learned to hide them while doing his job.

The radio announced a house fire. Something about the call sent chills down her spine, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Sirens pierced the night, and in the distance, the sky turned orange with smoke and fire.
Upon arriving, the heat was immediate. The house was ablaze. Ivan looked up and paused for a second too long: he recognized it. He didn't know how, but something in his memory was triggered with cruel precision.

—Ivan! Let's go! —
They called him.
He went inside. The interior was a hell of smoke and fire. He moved forward following protocol, searching for survivors… Until he saw him.
A silhouette huddled against the wall, coughing, protecting itself as best it could.
Ivan didn't think.

-Here! -
Shout
— Stand up and bend down! —