Blame

Standing outside, Reese’s eyes roam back and forth wildly, the shock causing him to shut down. Katie’s emotional state cause him to almost panic as he squints ahead at the house and he shifts uncomfortably, trying to think straight.

Jason’s pulse races, his emotions going everywhere all at once. He felt them going haywire, and could suddenly feel a lurch to his system as Katie reacts to the explosion.

Sucking in his breath for a moment, he tries to overcome the inner battle. But too fast, he whirls around in time to see Katie out of the van and start to run.

“Katie! No!” But like Nate, his words go ignored.

Leaving Reese, Jason sprints into a run. “Katie!” Shifting gears from the gut wrenching thoughts of Scott, to fear for his friend, he pursues her. His long strides catch up to her down the block, the heat from the flames reaching them. Dang it, stop before you get killed too!

Jason reaches out and grabs Katie’s shoulder, whipping her around. “Stop, Katie! Just stop!” Pulling her in close, he wraps his arms around her firmly to bring her to his chest, providing a physical and emotional blanket. He’s gone…you can’t save him…let it go.

Jason shakes with the emotional strain, both his own and as he battles against the flux Katie was causing. Calm down…it’s okay…

Tears fill his eyes. He didn’t know if it was from his emotions or the flames. Either way, they stung. Just calm down…

Smoke was everywhere. The stench from the burning building filled the air. Ash and debris continued to float to the ground. Sirens can suddenly be heard. Police cars. Fire trucks. People. Chaos.


Reese’s horror makes his stomach church and he looks to Nate for support. How could this have happened? It wasn’t supposed to happen this way? This was supposed to be a simple task. He’d been assured that nothing could go wrong.

Police cruisers speed to the scene, parking nearby as the fire trucks race by. Several more cars arrive on the scene and Reese can immediately feel his anger start to rise. He looks to Nate, the focuses on the man getting out of the black car. Lyle Tipman.

Marching quickly to the other man, Reese confronts him, his eyes blazing. “What in the name of sam hill happened?!”

Tipman’s eyes widen. “I could ask you the same thing!”


Jason lifts his head and looks toward the scene as bits and pieces of shouting could be heard.

“You said it was empty! …You call that safe?! ….men don’t know squat! …Because of you, one of my officers just died! …will not! You…responsible!”