Fire in the Firehouse 17

Back home, the phone was ringing. The Caller ID was quick to point out whom it was calling. It was Holly, Mitch's Mom. Mitch groaned, "God, why now? She'll never let me go. She never knows when to shut up and hang up." Cory listened and chuckled and thought back to days long gone when his own Mom would call from abroad and do the same. Now he longed to get even one more call, something that could never be. Marie had made sure of that. He wanted to hate Marie, but he couldn't. He'd healed from that chapter of his life and wasn't about to revisit the pain. In a way, it brought him back to the brother she'd taken him away from. There was just so much to the whole story. If it weren't their lives, they'd have not believed it. Seemed like the making of a good story one might read in a book or even on a website online.

Mitch picked up the phone. "Hi, Mom." He tried to sound sincere and not give her cause to wonder if something was the matter. He was hoping to explain his life and his choices in it this night, but Colby's disappearing put a crimp in that plan. Now he'd have to hope he could get things back in order and still have time to reveal his life to his Mom.

"Oh, hi baby. How are you? What did you have to tell me? It sounded so encouraging by the tone in your voice." Mitch paused to himself. Crap, forgot the message sounded so upbeat. Damn the luck. There was no way out, he'd have to spill. He knew his Mom would accept it. After all, he had a gay uncle and everyone accepted him as he was.

"Hey Mom, I'm great. Listen, you and Dad and Uncle Joey are coming to visit in 3 weeks, right?" He paused waiting for her response. He was testing the space between words they spoke.

"Yes, baby, we are. Uncle Joey can hardly wait. He's got some things for you." He naturally wondered what she meant, time would tell. As far as he knew, his uncle was rumored to have powers, too. The gifts came from his Dad's side of the family.

He continued, "Well, see Mom, I have something I've been meaning to tell you. But as you know there's been so much going on in my life this year. If its not been one thing its been another. I guess I'll come right out and say it. Mom, I'm gay and Colby is my lover and we're set to marry while you're here. I hope you're not furious that I waited so long to tell you." Silence.

"Oh, baby," she cheerfully replied. "We've had reason to believe that you're gay for a long time. Uncle Joey tipped us off. Your Dad and I couldn't care less as long as you're loved and have a roof over your head. This is life and its all about the choices we make. Sexuality doesn't determine our fate in what we do. Our choices of work, lovers, money, and so on does. I can't wait to meet Colby finally." She paused. "You've been using rubbers, right?" Mitch damn near dropped the phone hearing his usually chipper and sometimes prissy Mom be so blunt.

"Uh, Mom. Colby and I have been together almost a year now. And we got beyond that ages ago. We talked long and hard and neither of us had any real sexual experience. C'mon Mom..." He stopped and laughed. "You remember my high school years, right?" His Mom recalled and bursted out laughing. Not in an offensive way, but seeing the point her son was attempting to draw for her. It made sense.

"Well, so long as you're sure, then its fine by me. Listen, Dad and I need to go shopping. And now we need to get some wedding gifts. And don't worry, we're spoiling you. We're making up for the things you didn't have growing up. Ever since Dad and Uncle Joey went into business together, you know the story. Well, baby, love you-bye." With no time for him to respond, the energetic woman hung up.

Mitch got back to his locating of his lover. Cory stared at him, having heard the majority of the conversation. His Mom was wired for sound. Cory smiled at Mitch. "Your Mom's got some energy man."

Mitch cracked a crooked smile, most of it taking shape on the right side of his mouth. "You don't know the half of it. Marie makes my Mom look like Mother Theresa." Cory laughed hysterically at that analogy. It felt good to laugh again. Almost like it had become unfamiliar.

Colby had arrived. The Golden Gate Bridge his choice. There it stood, ominous and mysterious, laden with fog. Many had gone out of the world via its enormous size and height. Colby thought long and hard. He couldn't see it well with the thick, dense fog enveloping it. It hung on tight as it often had since being erected over these very waters; this infamous land mark. Its grip unwilling to budge much. But every so often the fog rolled and danced in the moist night sky revealing its legacy, allowing its majesty to be seen in spurts.

As he stared the bridge down, which had been closed due to fog-which was highly unusual, he thought about his choices. After a few very tense, personal moments he headed to the bridge itself. He snuck past those on duty working on the bridge. He found it eerily odd the bridge was so lifeless. He'd never heard of such a thing happening. But this fog was pretty bad. He found his entry to be rather easy. The gray mist concealed his presence well-as did his dark clothing.

He walked for a while. The night air wetting his face, hair, and exposed skin. He felt cold and alone. He walked a bit, trying to make it all make sense. "I guess this is as good a place as any. Well, what am I waiting for?" He begged himself for more time. He had to make sure this was right. His eyes welled up. It wasn't easy wanting to leave. He was so scared and confused. Death seemed so simple. So final. And so away from his pain. It was sad and tragic, but it made sense.

He began rethinking his youth. So many painful memories. How could one so young deal with such emptiness? He thought of his recent past. Mitch and Cory mostly. Mitch filled his life in almost the last year with happiness. But Marie made sure she was there to imprint her ways on his life and seek to destroy his life. Then was the discovery of his twin. So much to accept all at once. These last months had shown him more of his past than he ever knew existed. It was a lot to take in, almost too much.

Colby walked erratically. "No. I've got to do this. I can't take anymore. Too many years, too many bad memories." He thought again, tears streaming down his face, adding to the sting of the night air. He debated his choices. Now he had visions of Drake. His mind was being flooded faster than ever. What was going on?

Back inside the home the three men shared, "Is it working Mitch?" Cory waited for some sort of indication. They had managed to locate Colby and Mitch had gotten way crafty. He was inside his lover's mind dredging up memories. Begging him to see it wasn't worth dying. Mitch had made a psychic connection the likes he'd only once dreamed of before. With his powers being tied to his emotions, it made sense in a time of dire need he'd be able to tap in so deeply.

Cory watched intently at Mitch's face. He spoke nothing more, fearful he'd cause a break in the bond. Mitch gave another crooked smile and this gave Cory comfort. Not to the point it would have if he'd gotten a direct answer, but it was enough to give some comfort and put his fears at ease to some degree.

Colby paced and cried. Cried and paced. He was too wrapped up in his inner emotions to give it any thought. The only thing he was able to think and wonder about, was he going crazy? What was next, assuming he didn't jump-a mental institution? He started hearing a voice. He concentrated. It didn't sound familiar-purposely. "Colby, you're a great man and have much to live for. When Marie perished, your years of hell went too. Don't give in. Its not worth it. You have a family now, albeit unusual, but just the same. Stay strong. Fight your inner urges." 

Colby darted into the lanes of traffic-only to find none-luckily. He was trying to make the voice stop. He thought he was losing his mind. Mitch was easing up, sensing the other's feeling of having no control. Colby was struggling harder than ever. Feelings of love and happiness and better times to come filled his very being. 

Mitch broke off from Colby, looked to Cory, said not a word, reached for his keys and saw Cory was right behind him. They ran out to his truck with the darker haired man saying, "I don't know if I've done more harm than good. But we need to get there ASAP if we want to save him. He feels like he has no control left."

Cory reached over, grabbed the key's out of Mitch's tense grip. "I think you've been through enough. Let me drive bro." Mitch didn't even qualm. He knew it was best. They got in the truck and took off. While they drove Mitch sat in muted silence, mind filling with moments the two men had shared since that one fateful day back in January. His heart was chock full of memories. He was feeling himself fall deeper in love with his partner. He knew right then he had to save Colby and he had to make things right again. They would find peace and happiness-they had to.

Cory's mind filled with deep thoughts. God, Colby, don't jump bro. We're just now getting to know one another. I need you in my life. You need me, too. He drove, mind racing, frustrated his speed was impaired by the thick fog. Why tonight he thought?

Meanwhile Colby realized the voice had ceased. "Well, that's enough of that. I'm officially going crazy. That just cements my thoughts. Its time to go home to God. There's no fucking way I'm getting locked up in the nuthouse." He slowly made his way to the railing. His palms sweaty, his heart in his throat. He even noticed the bottoms of his feet were soaked in his shoes. His heart rate was increased and his breathing became gasps for air. The fog seemed to be suffocating him he thought. He gripped the railing and stared down. The fog had lifted from the ocean right below him. He stood staring at the cold, dark abyss awaiting his demise. The water rolled and rocked in the night, fueled by the moon and the breeze. It looked so cold, so dark, so void of any life. It called his name.

Mitch felt inner pains and groaned. "Ungh, ugh. Nooo. Cory, drive as fast as you can. Colby's about to jump, I sense his hands on the railing." Cory sped up in response. He prayed that by the Grace of God they'd make it in time. Mitch sat in inner pain. he'd inadvertently made contact with his lover. The spirits that guided him saw the severity of the event and sent him the images. Mitch's heart was breaking. He couldn't take seeing what was being shown in his mind. It was intense, it was almost making him violently ill.

Cory knew Mitch had an inner connection to his brother and was envious. He wanted to know first hand, too. He was so scared of losing his only brother. He longed to know what Mitch was privy knowing. Best thing was that it did bring him a sense of comfort.

They sped through town as fast as the conditions would allow. Both men sat in equal disarray. Their minds wandering, wondering. The tension in the cab of the truck was so thick, the cliche of cutting with a knife held true.

It wasn't long after they reached the infamous bridge. They parked a safe distance away. They knew they'd need to make their approach in stealth mode. Colby might be anticipating their arrival. He had somewhat figured Mitch's gifts might help him sense his choices. He stood alert.

The two men snuck on the bridge, the dense fog was still providing adequate coverage and they used this to their advantage. They stayed behind the thickness of the fog, hoping and praying it would conceal them until they'd gotten close enough to make an impact-they hoped.

Colby stood looking down. Every so often backing up as the view made him dizzy. Sure, he thought. I want to end it all, but if I screw up before I'm totally ready...He paced back and forth while the other two men loomed quietly just out of sight. They witnessed some of the drama Colby was experiencing. The young man backed away, ran into the middle of the road of the enormous bridge, slowly falling to his knees. He looked skyward, "Why God? Why is this so hard? I want the pain to stop. Can't you make this all go away Father? I want to stop causing others pain. I'm of no use in this world. You made a mistake creating me God. Why? Millions of sperm, why me? I don't want to be here. What is the point? Take me now. Oh, Father I am so ready." Tears began streaming down his face. The cool wind danced with the moisture as the tears drenched his chiseled face. His brother and lover began crying with him, feeling his pain. Wanting to rush to him and hold him, knowing it might scare him and cause him to jump. Neither man spoke, fearful the one they sought to save would be alerted to their presence. It was quite the scene to behold. 

The moments seemed etched in time. Time? What was that? These three men had no concept at the time of time. It seemed so insignificant at the moment. Colby then leaned over, gripping empty at the pavement. His crying was full on sobbing now. "I killed Mom. Not Marie. This is all my fault. If I hadn't been born, she'd still be alive." He overlooked his twin in his rage and hurt. "Oh, God, please! Call me home. I can't take this pain anymore. Oh dear God, why? Why did you create me if this is what is to become of my life? I don't want to go on," he spoken brokenly through his pain. His words echoed into the empty night. His heart was broken. He cared none about anyone else, just escaping his pain. It had gone on too long now. He sat alone, so he thought, in his hurt and sorrow. Ending it all seemed so easy, but why couldn't he just do it? What was holding him back? Where was that inner trigger that would give him the final boost to do it?