Hand In Hand
By Shotzette, Old Time Fan and Missy

Episode Twenty-Three
By OldTimeFan

Thank You To Chesh For Tireless Hours of Betaing!
Episode 23

The fire went from nothing to all encompassing with horrifying speed. First, it had been an odd smell, coming from somewhere around the kitchen, and Laverne had shrugged it off as a careless cook burning someone's steak dinner. But then the smoke came billowing out of the vents all around them and flames started shooting up through the floor, and she knew with a sickening certainty that they were all in deep shit.

Her mind raced, trying to place the locations of her various friends and loved ones. Her father, Edna, and Amy had been right in front of the stage in the middle of the room. Shirl had gone off toward the right for a backstage chat with Carmine. Only Squiggy and Rhonda had been huddled together in an intimate table to the far left side of the club, which was now obscured by a wall of smoke and flames.

"Holy shit, what're we supposed to do now?" she heard Rosie exclaim from behind her. Laverne turned and saw all the Greenbaum bravado was going right up in flames with the rest of the club. Strangely, Rosie's open terror helped her bring her own panic under control.

"It's okay," Laverne said. "I remember what Ted and Randy taught me about what to do if you're ever in a burning building. Get down on the floor, Greenbaum."

Rosie just stared right past her, at the flames that danced higher and higher. "Rose!" Laverne snapped. "Get down, now!" She crouched down next to her chair and jabbed her finger at the floor.

"Y...you don't hafta get snippy, De...nowski...whatever." But Rosie did as she was told, crawling quickly over to Laverne's side. "Okay, Firewoman, now what?"

For once, Rosie's sarcasm was a relief. At least Laverne knew she still had her wits about her. "You gotta try and spot the nearest exit, then crawl out to it." She glanced around through the darkening smoke and pointed, "There! See that red glow? That's an Exit sign." She reached up to the table and snagged a pink linen napkin and a glass. She saw that it was her milk and Pepsi, and sighed. "It'll have to do." Then she poured it over the napkin and handed it to Rosie.

"What's this for?"

"Hold it over your mouth and nose. It'll help filter out the fumes."

Rosie took it hesitantly, holding it across her face. Laverne saw her eyes crinkle. "It stinks!" she complained through the cloth.

"Not as much as a lung full of smoke. Now go on, get outta here!"

Rosie started to crawl away, but paused and looked back over her shoulder. Lowering the napkin, she asked, "Wait a minute. Ain't you coming with me?"

Laverne shook her head, soaking another napkin in a glass of soda water. "Nope. I got people I have to find first."

"Wait!" Rosie looked genuinely concerned. "C'mon, you really ain't a fireman, you know. You're gonna get yourself killed or something."

Laverne hesitated. Rosie was right; she was working off old memories and second-hand experience. But that was probably more than most people in the club had. For not the first time that night, she desperately wished that Lenny were here with her - not in danger, but as someone who actually knew how to handle the situation, at least more than she. Right now though, she was all she had, and her family needed her.

She waved Rosie away. "Go outside, Rose! These people are gonna need a nurse; you owe it to 'em to stay alive and help." Then Laverne crept off toward the front of the club, to where she had last seen her father, stepmother, and stepsister before the smoke blotted them from view.

***
"Amy, stay close!" Edna cried, pulling her daughter back to her side. The poor, frightened thing kept pulling ahead, trying to hurry away from the hot fire creeping ever closer to their side of the club.

"Mom, I know where to go!" Amy insisted, pointing into the dark smoke. "I remember the way we came in...there was that plant...."

"Listen to your mother!" snapped Frank, pointing in the opposite direction. "Everyone is headed over there. Let's just follow 'em and we should be fine."

Edna saw him whipping his head around, still looking for Laverne. They had seen her duck down under her table when the smoke started getting thick. That was the last sighting they'd had. Her heart pounded at the thought of what may have happened to her stepdaughter, between the stampeding patrons and the fire itself.

Someone slammed into her from behind, knocking her to her knees. Edna struggled to get back to her feet, only to have someone else's spiked heel land on her hand. She cried out, clutching her hand to her chest. By the time she looked up again, she couldn't see either Frank or Amy. "Frank!" she screamed. "Frank, where are you? Do you have Amy?"

Between the roar of the fire and the din from the panicked patrons, she couldn't hear a response. Suddenly though, strong arms were around her waist, hauling her to her feet and pulling her along in the direction Amy had been pointing. She fought against whomever was dragging her, crying that she had to find her husband, her child, but the person's grip only tightened as he hauled her outside.

A sudden rush of crisp, cool air hit her square in the face as they stumbled outside. She found herself being lowered gently to the ground, a safe distance from the burning club. Her eyes filled with soot and tears, she couldn't make out the face of her rescuer. "Please," she begged. You have to find my family! My husband, Frank, he's got gray hair and a big mustache...my Amy, she has long, blonde hair...."

"Sh, Mrs. D. It's okay." She rubbed her eyes at the familiar voice. "I'll find 'em, don't you worry."

"Lenny?" she gasped, her vision slowly clearing. It was him all right, all done up in a fireman's hat and equipment. It took her a few moments to remember that he wasn't playing dress-up this time; Laverne had mentioned to Frank that Lenny had taken up this new vocation. Perfect timing, on his part.

"Who all was in there with you?" he asked. "Just Amy and Frank? What about Carmine, I know he's working tonight. Did you see him?"

She struggled to talk around a fit of coughing. "He was. Don't know. Where he is now."

"Okay, it's okay." He patted her shoulder. "I'll find out for you. I'm going off to find out where Frank and Amy are. Don't worry, Mrs. D, my buddies in there probably already got 'em out."

He turned and started away. She reached up and caught his hand, fighting to clear her throat. "Wait! Len...there's more! Squiggy...."

He spun around as she gave into another bout of coughing. "Squig? He's in there?"

"Yes, yes! With Rhonda. They were awfully close...where it started."

His expression darkened. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll go back in."

"Lenny, Laverne..."

At this, his whole body stiffened. "No. No, you ain't saying she's in there too?"

"Lenny, I'm sorry." Edna accepted a cup of water from a paramedic, while another was wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. After a quick swallow, she was able to continue. "Laverne was in there. Shirley and Rosie brought her, I guess to cheer...anyway, last I saw, she was toward the middle of the room."

He bit his lower lip and nodded. "That's all I need to know." He turned and ran back into the building, which now appeared to be almost entirely engulfed in flames. His fellow firefighters had hoses trained on it and some were going at the doors and windows with axes, but didn't seem to be making much of a dent in it yet.

"Be careful," Edna murmured, watching the young man go. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her eyes, nose and throat stinging. "And please find them. Please!"

***
"There's a rear exit," said Carmine, shoving her toward the back of the stage. "Just go out that way and..."

"No! Carmine, Laverne is still out there!" Shirley coughed. "Not to mention Frank, Edna, Amy, and Rosie. Oh, and Squiggy and Rhonda, too."

"Don't worry about that, Shirl! I'll go back in and find them."

"Not alone, you won't." She crossed her arms and glared at him.

He flung his hands in the air. "How in the hell am I supposed to help anyone if I have you to worry about?" he demanded.

"You don't have to worry about me! I'll worry about me! Just...let's stop wasting time arguing and get going, okay?"

He nearly tossed her over his shoulder and ran for the rear exit. But he knew he didn't have the right anymore, probably never had. As much as he wanted her safe, he understood that she was going to make this decision for herself. "Okay, fine. Just...stay close to me, all right?"

She opened her mouth as if to protest, but only sighed. "Fine."

They made their way out onto the stage, surveying the destruction as best they could. Carmine coughed as the acrid smoke stung his eyes and ran down his throat. He felt Shirley grasp his shoulders and force him to his knees.

"Stay down!" she cautioned. "I learned in my CPR class, you have to stay close to the ground in a fire. That's where the air is."

"There ain't much down here either," he said and saw her nod ruefully. Squinting, he could just make out a room filled with overturned tables and chairs, flames leaping across from the left side, nearly encompassing the area. The smoke was thick and black, but through it, he could make out the chilling sight of several people lying on the floor. Some were moving. Others were not.

"Dear merciful God," he heard Shirley murmur near his right ear. He reached over and took her hand automatically, but instead of pushing him away, she grasped his hand and squeezed back.

"What should we do?" he asked. "I can't even tell anymore who was sitting where."

Shirley coughed, wiping at her eyes. "I think that's where I left Laverne and Rosie." She pointed to an overturned table, now smoldering in the center of the room.

He looked to the right and left of where she was indicating, until he made out someone moving quickly on their hands and knees toward the wall of flames at the left side of the club. "Is that...I can't tell for sure, but it looks like it might be Laverne."

Shirley leaned further forward. "I'm not sure," she agreed, nearly shouting to be heard over the din. "Whoever it is, they're heading the wrong way!"

Carmine nodded. He met Shirley's eyes and instantly knew what she was thinking. He hopped down off the stage, then reached up and helped her down beside him. Together, they got to their knees and began crawling quickly after the now-dimly seen, dark figure.

***

"Andy!" screamed Rhonda, trying once again to reach him through the fiery barrier. "Andy, grab my hand!"

She thrust it again toward what had been their table, now just so much kindling. Though they were close, she could barely make out the outline of her husband, crouching on the floor, struggling to regain his footing while still avoiding the flames that danced all around them. She couldn't get any closer, but kept shoving her hand through the tiny pockets of air, desperate to reach him. She could barely feel her hand or arm anymore, but didn't have time to think about why that may be.

"Rhonda, just go! Get out of here!" he yelled, his voice sounding like it was coming from further and further away.

"No! I won't leave you! I can't...Andy, please!" She saw his cane ablaze on the floor next to him, and knew he couldn't regain his balance without it. Eyes darting around the immediate area, she searched for something, anything that he could use in its place.

A movement caught her attention, out of the corner of her eye. Someone was coming toward her, crawling on the floor. "Help us!" she screamed, then broke off as her lungs were seared by the smoke and incredible heat. The subsequent choking brought her to her knees.

"Rhonda!" She faintly heard Andy calling to her. Managing to turn back to him, she saw him clutching at the wall, desperately trying to stand. "Hold on, I'm comin'!"

The smoke was overwhelming. She could feel the flames licking at her and felt an overwhelming sadness replace her fear. Finally, she had found someone who loved her completely and who she loved completely in return, and now all they could do about it was die together.

***
Edna pushed away the oxygen mask the paramedic kept insisting on sticking over her face and again asked, "Has anyone seen a burly older man and a young blonde girl yet?"

The paramedic glanced over at one of the firemen, who was taking a quick oxygen break of his own. The tall young man just shook his head. "I'm sorry ma'am," said the paramedic, looking back at her.

She buried her face in her hands. Crying only made her throat and eyes hurt worse, but she couldn't help it. The thought of never seeing them again...

"Mamma? Are you okay?"

Edna's hands dropped into her lap. Afraid to turn toward the voice, afraid of being wrong, she simply whispered, "Amy?"

"Yes, it's me, Mamma. I'm so glad you're okay!" Her daughter crouched by her side and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. For a couple minutes, all Edna could do was feel the waves of relief crashing over her.

When she could speak again, she said, "Amy, you're okay? Are you hurt at all?" She searched her daughter, patting her head, running her hands over her arms. Other than being covered in soot and perspiration, Amy looked perfectly fine.

The girl smiled as if in agreement. "Nothing happened to me, so don't be sad."

"But...how...where...?"

"She told us she knew the way out." Edna followed the gruff voice up to its owner. Her ex-husband smiled down at her, one thick hand resting on Amy's shoulder. "She was right."

"Oh, Frank!" Edna struggled to her feet, throwing off her blanket as she flung her arms around her husband. He embraced her and Amy and they simply held each other, reveling in the joy and relief of their reunion.

"When you fell...I tried to find you, but the crowd pushed us away." Frank kissed her over and over. "I thought I'd lost you...I wanted to go back..."

"I wouldn't let him," said Amy, looking guilty. "I could see we were right by the door and I could see the firemen already going in. I knew we'd just get in the way. I'm sorry, Mom, was that wrong?"

"No, my darling." Edna kissed her daughter's cheek, stroking her long hair. "That was exactly right. The firemen did get to me...one in particular. Lenny."

"Really?" Amy's eyes widened. "That was very brave of him. I always knew he was brave, but wow!"

Edna couldn't help but laugh. "You're telling me! Anyway, I'm just so happy that you two are safe." She hugged them again.

"Yeah, but not all of us are." Frank's eyes were haunted. He looked back over his shoulder and Edna's heart sank.

"Laverne?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. They won't let me near the place...believe me, I tried, I tried for both of you...but the fire guys say they've got it under control."

A gout of flame suddenly blew out several windows, causing a team of firefighters to fall back. Edna clung to her husband, whose face suddenly drained of color. "It don't look all that under control to me," was all he muttered. "Not at all."

***

"Rhonda? Are you okay? Rhonda!" Laverne screamed over the roar of the fire, unable to find an opening in the wall of flames that surrounded Rhonda and Squiggy. A violent fit of coughing immobilized her, as her mind struggled to form a plan. She couldn't just huddle there and watch her friends burn to death. Forcing herself back onto her knees, she searched the area around her for something useful, but nearly everything was ablaze. The smoke on this side of the room was so thick she could barely see her own hand in front of her eyes.

Another fit of coughing and she abruptly found herself lying on her side, gasping for what air was left. I can't do it, she realized, tears running down her face. I can't get to them. I don't even think I can save me now.

Thank God at least she wasn't pregnant. The thought of Lenny's baby dying inside her made her even sicker than the fumes in the club. For the first time, she felt Shirley's pain as though it were her own. Why, she could hear Shirley's voice in her head, telling her to hang on, fight, don't give up...

In her head? Or her ears?

Laverne forced her eyes open and saw her best friend crouching beside her, felt her hands on her shoulders shaking her. "Come on, Vernie!" she was crying between coughs. "We have to get out of here! Don't you dare give up on me, Laverne DeFazio! Not after all we've been through!"

"Who said anything...giving up?" Laverne managed. She reached out and grasped Shirl's arm.

Shirley tugged her back to her knees, rubbing her back. "There's an exit behind the stage! Follow me!"

"Wait! What about Rhonda and Squiggy? It may not be too late...!"

She saw Shirley point in their direction. "My job's to get you out of here. It's his to get to them."

Laverne followed her gesture and barely made out a man's shape, standing nearby and beating at the flames with what looked like a tablecloth. "Is that Carmine?"

Shirley nodded. "Come on. We've got to get out, so we can tell the firemen to come in and help!"

Laverne nodded and together, they began to crawl toward the stage, following a circuitous route around overturned tables, chairs, and falling debris, not to mention flames. Laverne felt her hand brush up against a body and recoiled, but Shirley just clenched her jaw and yanked her along. She kept one hand locked on Laverne's wrist the entire way, guiding her, clinging to her as if afraid she might slip away.

A loud cracking sound caught her attention just as they reached the stage and darted through the space left by the already burnt away curtains. Laverne turned just in time to see a large beam drop down from the ceiling, close to where they had just been on the left side of the club. The ceiling started to follow, but before she could see any more, Shirley shoved her and she toppled to the floor.

She heard a scream rise above roar of the fire and the clattering of unseen, large things raining down all around her. Then there was silence.

***
Lenny fought his way back into the building, where he was stopped by one of his fellows. "Where do you think you're going, rookie?" the guy demanded. "Get back out by the truck!"

Lenny shook his head. "No way! There are still people in there...."

"No kidding? Geeze, I thought I was here for the show. Go on, clear out!" The guy gave him a shove.

Lenny shoved back. He saw the other fireman's eyes widen in surprise, and barked, "My wife is in there! My wife, who is carrying my baby! You really think you're gonna keep me out?"

The other man hesitated, but stepped out of his way. "Watch yourself," he said gruffly. "Stay close to a pro."

"Yeah, yeah." Lenny pushed forward, stepping over the rubble on the floor, knocking some more out of his way with his axe. The rest of the team was hosing the place down, but didn't seem to be having much success. Another fireman shoved past him, carrying what looked like a woman's body in his arms as he rushed toward the front door. Lenny felt his heart drop into his shoes, but was sure the woman had been too short to be his Laverne. Pretty sure, anyway.

He fought his way across the club, dodging a circle of flames that burst straight up from the floor. He switched on the microphone in his facemask and yelled, "Laverne! Laverne, where are you? I'm here, baby, I'm here now!"

He stumbled and went to one knee. Cursing, he started to get to his feet, when he realized that he'd stumbled over a stocking-clad leg. Peering through the impossibly thick smoke, he could barely make out a woman's form on the ground. Most of her upper body was surround by fire.

"Oh, God no," he breathed, turning to signal the men on the hose. "Over here, guys!"

They somehow spotted his yellow glove waving in the air because the water was suddenly rushing over him and over the woman, putting out the tiny flames that had been dancing over her clothes. Once under control, Len gave them a thumbs-up and the team redirected the blast of water toward the stage area.

He patted out the remaining tiny flames that smoldered on her back and arms, wincing at the sight of her blackened and bloody right arm. She'd burnt it, badly, from the fingertips to the elbow. Very gently he turned her over, putting his facemask right up to her cheek to get a better look.

He was at once relieved and terribly ashamed by the feeling. "Rhonda." He struggled to find some sign of life, patting her cheek, shaking her carefully. Finally he tugged off one glove and pressed his fingertips against her neck.

Sighing, he said, "Okay, Rhonda. You're gonna be fine. I just gotta get you out of here." He pulled his glove back on and got his arms under the injured woman, lifting her carefully. As he stood, he looked around, wondering where Squiggy was. It was then he saw two figures, one being supported by the other, crawling in the general direction of the stage. He squinted, and realized that it was two women, although he couldn't tell who they were. He could also see what they couldn't from the floor; that the stage they were about to climb onto was starting to collapse at its base.

"Ladies, wait!" he shouted, but with Rhonda helpless in his arms, he was stuck. Moving as quickly as he could, he managed to get back to the guys holding the hose. One of them immediately let go and held out his arms. Lenny placed Rhonda in them and shouted, "Right arm's bad...be careful!"

"Gotcha! Kosnowski, we're getting out of here. The roof's about to give and I doubt this floors gonna last much longer! There's nothing else we can do!"

Lenny shook his head. "There might be other people trapped in here!"

The man, a second-year from his bunk named Dave, shouted, "There's no time! Come on!"

Lenny just shook his head. "Radio me if a woman named Laverne Kosnowski is outside and I'll be right behind ya!" Ignoring Dave's cries, he ran back toward the left side of the club. Until he knew for certain that Laverne was out of that place and safe, he wasn't going anywhere.

***
Carmine managed to beat down a small path between himself and Squiggy, and held out his hand. "Come on! Crawl to me!"

Squiggy shook his head. "Rhonda's hurt! I ain't leavin' without her!"

Carmine glanced around, but couldn't see anyone nearby. He could barely see his hand in front of his eyes, between the black smoke and the soot that kept filling his eyes with tears. "Where is she?"

Squiggy raised himself onto all fours, whipping his head around like a pup in search of a bone. "I...she was right...I can't tell no more!"

Carmine shook his head. "It's no good, Squig. We gotta get out, tell the firemen that she's in here and let 'em find her!"

"No! I ain't...!"

"You're no good to her dead!" Carmine shouted in frustration. He lunged across and grabbed Squiggy by his jacket, dragging the little guy away from the wall before the flames could close around him again.

Squiggy's face was streaked with black and he was coughing violently, but other than that he didn't seem to be hurt. But he still wouldn't move. "Squig, don't do this!" Carmine warned. "I'll punch you out and carry you out of here if I have to, but I'd rather not, so come on!"

"I ain't bein' stubborn, Carmine!" Squiggy shouted. "I can't get up! My damned leg...it won't hold me!"

The MS. Of course. Carmine cursed himself and said in a kinder tone, "Lean on me, then. I'll get you out and then I promise, I'll tell the firemen right where Rhonda ought to be." He looked up and saw with relief a tall figure making its way toward them. "There, see? There's one now. Hey, over here!" He stood up, hauling Squiggy to his feet with him, and waved his free hand toward the fireman.

There was a loud snapping sound from above, like a tree cracking in half. Carmine scarcely had time to look up before something very large and very heavy fell across his back, slamming him flat onto the floor.

***

Lenny forced himself to his knees, dazed. It took him a few seconds to clear his head and remember what was going on. As he shoved various ceiling tiles and other parts debris off him, he shook off his confusion. "Hey! Over there! You guys okay?"

He'd spotted two men only a minute or so before part of the ceiling had given way. Now all he could make out was smoke and scrap all over the floor. At least the falling materials had done some good - they had smothered several of the more daunting flames, leaving a small clearing in the otherwise raging inferno. Lenny glanced up, biting his lip as he realized that if the actual roof opened up, he could expect the exact opposite - an onrush of oxygen would probably fan the fire beyond any hope of control. Judging by the thin covering that was all that was left between them and the night sky, it wouldn't be long until he found out for sure.

Lenny got down on his hands and knees and began tossing aside building materials, digging until he felt someone grab his hand. "Get me outta here!" a familiar voice demanded, as the pile of wood and plaster stirred in front of him.

"Hang on, Squig. Almost there." Between the both of them, they soon cleared away enough of the crap for Squiggy to sit up, coughing and gasping, covered head to toe in soot and dust. "Hey," he said by way of greeting.

"Hey yourself." Rubbing at his eyes, Squiggy struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on his right side. Lenny quickly grabbed his arm and offered support. "Len, am I glad to see you! Rhonda's here...somewhere...and she's hurt bad. You gotta help me...."

"It's okay," he quickly replied. "I got her out already."

His friend looked up at him, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Really? You ain't just sayin' that to get me to go, are you?"

"No, man, no way! I wouldn't lie 'bout something that important."

Squiggy heaved a sigh. "Oh, good. That's really, really good. Is she okay?"

Lenny hesitated. "I think she will be." His buddy frowned. "Look, I'm sure she'd be a lot better with her hubby by her side. Come on, I'm gonna get you to her."

"Wait!" Squiggy pointed to large, broken ceiling beam on the floor. "That thing just missed me, but I ain't so sure it missed Carmine."

"That's who was with you? Ah, shit." Lenny raised his axe. "Squig, can you stand alone for a few seconds?"

He nodded, balancing heavily on his left side. Lenny knocked aside burning debris, until he could see the beam better. It had snapped in two, the larger portion lying several feet away. The other, still a good-sized chunk rested at an awkward angle in front of him, almost as if it were on top of something.

Or someone. Lenny dropped to his knees and shoved more debris out of the way until he could more clearly see the man lying underneath the beam.

"So...is he...you know," came Squiggy's hesitant voice from behind him.

"No, I don't," murmured Lenny. "And I'm kinda scared to find out."

***

Laverne groaned and rolled onto her stomach, tried to get her knees under her. She blinked and strained to see where she was.

There was a huge pile of broken wood and other, unidentifiable things. It took her a moment to realize that it was what was left of the stage she and Shirley had just been on. So that's why Shirl had shoved her like that. She must've heard or felt something Laverne had missed.

Speaking of Shirley, where is she? Laverne coughed and forced herself to crawl around the remnants of the stage. She tried to cry out, but only a weird croaking sound came out of her aching throat. She cleared it angrily and tried again. "Shirl? Shirley? Where are you?"

Just as she was starting to get panicky, a faint voice cried, "Down here! Laverne, help me!"

"Where down here?" Puzzled, she started pulling aside debris, wincing at a sharp pain in her shoulder. Must've fallen on it, she thought, clenching her teeth and continuing.

"Ow! Quit it, you're dropping stuff on me!" Shirley complained, her voice echoing from somewhere below.

Following her voice, Laverne crept further along the perimeter of the pile until she spotted a jagged hole in the floor. Peering down, she could barely make out her friend, standing in a couple of feet of water, glaring up at her with her fists on her hips. "Hey, how'd you get in there?"

"When the stage caved in, I fell off and right through the floor. Next thing I knew, I was all wet." Shirley jumped, reaching for the edge of the hole. She missed and groused, "I'm so close, but there's nothing to pile up down here to climb on."

"You're lucky you didn't fall into the fire! Say, where is it, anyway? I thought it started underneath us."

"I don't know. One of the pipes down here burst...must've put it out in this area. What about up there?"

Laverne looked around, unable to see much. "Still burning, but a little less over here. When all the stuff fell down, it must've put some of it out. It's all smoky...." She broke off, coughing.

"Why don't you get out of there? Send the firemen back for me. I'm safe for now and I'm sure not going anywhere."

"That's real brave of you, Shirl, but no way. I ain't leaving you down there. What if the rest of the place caves in? You'll be squashed like a tomato."

"Well, thank you for that lovely image!" Shirley folded her arms. "Laverne? Did you happen to see Carmine yet?"

Laverne remembered seeing the big beam fall from the ceiling right before Shirley shoved her. It had come down in the direction she'd last seen Carmine, Squiggy, and Rhonda. Hesitating, she finally replied, "No. Not yet."

There was silence. Then, "He probably just went out another way with Squiggy and Rhonda. Right?"

"Yeah. I'm sure that's it."

"Right. Has to be."

Laverne looked around for something to stick in the hole. She finally found a fairly long plank of wood. Gripping it with difficulty, she called, "Back away a little, Shirl. I think I got something you can climb out on!"

"Go ahead. And, Laverne?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're okay."

"You, too." To herself, she added, "I just hope everyone else is."

***
"Hey! You're not dead!"

"Am I supposed to be?" Carmine mumbled. He forced his eyes open and tried to focus. "Wait...who said that?"

"Me. Hang on, I'm gonna get this thing off you."

"What thing? Huh?"

"I think his brain's all shook up," said another voice, Squiggy's. It had to be, no one else sounded like that. But who else was speaking, with their voice sounding like it was coming through a microphone?

He became aware of a terrible pressure across his back, making it even harder to breathe than the smoke. His legs were tingling and when he tried to move, pain shot through all his limbs.

"Lie still!" the other voice commanded. "Don't move, unless you want me to cut you in half, too."

That sounded bad. Carmine froze. A few moments later, he heard a whoosh, followed by the sound of splintering wood. He felt the impact in his back and gasped, "Wait! What are you doing? Stop it!"

"I'm sorry, Carmine, but this is the only way to get you out. Just one more...."

Carmine clenched his teeth. He felt the impact, only this time it was followed by a sudden release of the weight on his spine. He continued to lie motionless until he heard Squiggy say, "Wow, that was cool. Len, you oughta put together a magician act like that!"

"Len?" Carmine turned his head, wincing. "Ow! Damn, that hurts!"

"Good. That's actually good." Lenny was looking down at him, his face obscured by a thick plastic mask. But it was definitely his light blue eyes behind it, watching him with concern. "Can you move your arms and legs."

"I...think so." Carmine tried. It hurt like hell, but he was able to turn himself slowly onto his side. "What the hell happened?"

"Ceiling fell on you," Squiggy explained. "Oh, but don't worry. Not all of it."

"Lucky me."

Lenny chuckled. "Believe it or not, you are. You think you can stand? 'Cause we really should be getting out of here."

Carmine saw him glance up at the ceiling, through which small pieces of debris were still raining down. The fire was still going around them, although not nearly as strong as he remembered. "Yeah, give me a hand. If it means getting out of this place, I'll goddamn skip!"

"That's the spirit." Squiggy held out his left hand, the right clutching a broken pole that he was using as a cane. Carmine took it and between Squiggy and Lenny, he managed to get to his feet. It was hard to walk, but not impossible. Lenny started leading them back toward the front door, then stopped at the still-daunting flames.

"It's okay," said Carmine, pointing toward what had been the club's stage. "There's a rear exit."

Lenny nodded. "Fire's lightened up over there. Okay, let's go."

"Wait! What about Rhonda? She was here...we couldn't find her, though."

"It's all right," said Squiggy, hobbling along on his pole. "Len found her and got her out of here. He's a regular...well, fireman."

"That he is." Carmine grinned up at Lenny. "This pretty much makes up for knocking me on my keister the other day, by the way."

"Thanks, Carmine. You're a real forgiving guy."

"Trying to be."

They got to the pile of wood and scrap that used to be the stage. Lenny started to clear a path, when he paused. "What is it?" Carmine asked.

"There is a God," was all he replied. Lenny dropped his axe and ran over toward someone walking slowly toward him. As she drew closer, Carmine could see it was Laverne. They paused right in front of one another for a moment, then fell into each other's arms.

"Aw, ain't that sweet?" said Squiggy. "Love is good."

Carmine looked past them toward the small figure seemingly rising out of the floor. As she drew closer, he couldn't help but grin. "Sometimes, Squig," he replied. "Sometimes."


FIN

Fin





To Chapter 22

On To Chapter 24











(Close This Window To Return To LAS Fic)