Fire of Your Soul Teaser

 The ambulances rushed through the busy streets as the blue and red lights flashing brightly through the dark night while they traveled to Virginia Mason Hospital. All of the patients were in stable condition, though they all needed blood work, oxygen, and chest X-rays. The EMTs had their hands full with Edward and Renee, who wanted to ride in the same ambulance as their loved ones.

Charlie had the more serious injuries with a dislocated shoulder and facial burns. The EMTs heard how he had run into a wall of fire with only his turnout coat on and came through with only minor burns to the skin that was not protected by the coat.

Bella was the next in line for serious injuries, though hers were from a physical altercation. Her face was covered in bruises, scrapes, and cuts. She also complained that it hurt to breathe, like something was poking her on the inside. More than likely, she had several broken ribs, and one was pressing against her lung. They needed to move her carefully, preventing the rib from piercing her lung and causing it to deflate. Bella also had a splint around her wrist from a broken wrist.

All of them dealt with smoke inhalation, ranging from minor sore throats to deep, body-wracking coughs. It appeared that Bella and Charlie suffered the most in that regard with their other injuries causing them to breathe in most of the noxious fumes.

Arriving at the hospital, Charlie was brought into a trauma room, while the other three were placed in the emergency department, on gurneys that were all in the same location, close to Charlie’s trauma room. Edward refused to lay down in the gurney, choosing to sit next to Bella. Renee was arguing with a nurse, pleading to be with her husband. Unfortunately, her oxygen levels were too low to abide by her desperate pleas. She was coughing deeply, which caused the doctors concern that she’d had more physical injuries than she led on.

Esme and Carlisle arrived at the hospital shortly after they’d arrived at the emergency department. Rose had called Emmett, who had reached out to his parents, informing them of the incident that had happened at The Stockyards. Upon their arrival, Esme threw her arms around Edward, sobbing in relief.

“You’re okay,” she cried, pulling back, and looking at her son. His face was covered with soot, and he had an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose. “Edward, you’re okay. Thank GOD!” She turned to Bella, who looked worn out and her pale skin was almost translucent. Esme was deeply concerned about her son’s girlfriend and her former doctor. Her eyes were closed, but her rest was clearly not relaxing, and she was shivering, almost uncontrollably. Her face was also covered with soot and every inch of her skin was covered in bruises. “Bella …”

“She’s sedated,” Edward said, picking up Bella’s tiny hand. “She was … it was a nightmare for her, Mom. For both her and Renee.”

“What happened?” Carlisle asked, giving his son a hug before stepping back.