Her Soul

Chapter 12 Misty

Misty looked around. She could see a couple of firetrucks and at least two ambulances. All she could get out was “What the hell?” before a police officer came to the driver’s side window.

“Sorry folks, you can’t go this way. There was a gas leak and two buildings are gone.”

“What buildings?” Misty leaned over Gregg, almost crawling into his lap, and not thinking about how close she was to him. “I live down there, what do you mean the buildings are gone?”

“Ms. Edwards, Misty, sit back, please.” Gregg put his hand on her chest and gently pushed her back into her seat. “Can you please tell us what buildings this has affected?”

“All of them on this side of the block. The three from the far end of the block are the ones that went up. Some of the others will probably have smoke damage.” The officer shook his head. “You folks will have to come back tomorrow, or call the fire marshal’s office to see about what can be done if your place was in one of the buildings that burnt. I sure hope you have renters insurance.”

With that, the officer walked away. Misty could feel her hands start to shake and her stomach start to tighten. The tightening started to creep up into her chest and she could feel her heart start to race. What was she going to do? She didn’t have money for a hotel. She couldn’t call Mr. Whitmore, and Katie was probably already in bed asleep. She didn’t want to bother her this late.

“Hey,” Gregg’s voice broke through the screaming in her head. “Hey, it is going to be ok. I just need you to start breathing. Come on, eyes on me.” He grabbed her shoulder and pushed her chin up with his other hand. Misty had never really looked at his eyes. They were almost crystal clear blue. She tried to slow her breathing down.

“Hey, breathe with me. Slow down, breathe in. One, two, three,” He counted to eight and Misty could feel her head start to clear just a little. “Good girl now hold. One, two, three, four. Ok out slow. One, two, three, four…” He counted to eight again, “Good girl, you are doing great, one more time.”

Misty could feel her heart start to slow down with her breathing. When they finished, her hands were still shaking, but she was able to get oxygen into her lungs and focus. “What am I going to do? Everything I have was in that apartment.” She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“Do you have any friends close by?” He looked around like someone was going to come running up the street and ask her to stay the night.

“My only friend here in the city is Katie, and she is probably asleep by now.”

“OK well, look, this is going to be a little unconventional, but I have a couple of guest rooms at my place. We can get you sorted out in the morning. With you trying to hyperventilate on me, I don’t think that you staying alone tonight is a great idea.”

Misty was almost shocked. “I don’t think I can impose like that Mr. Hale, but I appreciate the,”

Before Misty could finish her sentence, he cut her off. “Misty, you will be my guest this evening. It will be fine. Also, call me Gregg.”