Flames Feel Like [Open]

[jacquelyn]

Location: New York City, Strip and Lower downtown area.
Time: 02:33a.m

The roar of a motorcycle could be heard well off in the distance as it whined as the one riding it, held down the throttle. With it being so early in the morning, a lot of the heavy traffic that congested the streets during the day was gone. Cars were parked on the side of the road, asleep just like their owners. Not many people wandered the streets at this wee time in the morning.

As the bike took a sharp corner, the rider arching over the bike and turning with the slid of her tires, her knee nearly brushed the ground with as low as she got, sliding into the opposite late, no one was on this street. As her black helmet covered her face, it was hard to tell who was riding it, but the rider was female in the string of what looked to be black strands of hair falling down her back, the build was female as well. As the bike evened out and came up, she rose up chest no longer hugging the bike as much, as she twisted the throttle and the front end came off the ground, the bike did a wheelie for a good five feet, before she released the pressure and leaned into the bike as the front tire set down.

As the rider was about to continue going straight through the like an explosion sounded, the back lash was something she hadn’t expected, as the wave of heat hit her side. The bike tilted for a moment as the ride lost her concentration, the brakes being hit, as her head turned, seeing the fire through the blown out forth store windows of an apartment building. She curled her body into the turn riding up on the sidewalk to make the full turn, before she was heading for that building.
She hit a button on the side of her helmet, where it corresponded with her phone, which was in her bag on her back; she spoke into the receiver that was built into the lower part of her helmet, right where if the plexiglas ended the helmet’s mouth piece began, leading over down her chin.

“Dial, 9-1-1”

After a few rings the line was picked up, and the man other end started speaking.

“9-1-1, what is the address of your emergency?”

“There is an apartment building on fire in lower downtown, the forth story has been blown out, and there are still people trapped inside.”

Her bike came to a stop, across the street from the fire, as she’d parked it on the side walk. She ran across the street, her eyes scanning the street signs as she told them off, to the dispatcher on the other end.

“East of 38th and Samantha Way blvd. The building is seven stories high, I’m not aware of what caused the fire. And Mike, it’s Aviary, I'm going in.”

With that she hung up, phone being shoved into her back pants pocket, as she passed a pedestrian just standing there her helmet and her bike keys.

“Watch those for me, and when the cops get here, tell them we need helicopter EVAC on the roof, tell them, Federal Agent Eves said so.”

Aviary didn’t wait for a response before she ran up the stairs, those on the third lower levels had gotten out, but she still, did a quick sweep of those levels, banging on doors and yelling that their was fire. As she neared the forth floor, she frowned seeing why people from that floor hadn’t come down, there was nothing left of the floor itself. She walked carefully through this part, the wrong move could plummet her to the floors below her.

“Is anyone still alive…answer me! Hello, I’m police officer”

She said as she picked her way through the charred and still flaming hallways, she covered her mouth with the edge of her jacket, to try and avoid breathing in the smell of burning flesh and the smoke. A loud groan from behind her had her looking back towards the stairs that had just caved onto the floor below. As she moved carefully, her foot went through the floor and she couldn’t help the scream that came from her throat, as her heart pounded, she didn’t move, moving could cause the rest of the floor to give. Carefully she moved her weight to her left foot and stood up, pulling her foot from the hole.

“Mommy…Mommy…”

The frightened words reached her ears over the sound of the fire. She moved heading to her left into one of the apartments closer to the fifth level. She frowned seeing the gap that kept her from reaching the child and stairs beyond it up to the upper levels, she could hear people panicking as there was no way to get to the ground floor. She knew she could jump and probably make the leap, but with no one on the other side to ensure she didn’t fall into the flames below.

There had to be another way, and if not…this was just another risk she’d have to take. She waited judging the distance, and looking around her for another route...as far as she could tell there was none. She had to get to that little girl, the fire below the gap was rising and the smoke wasn't getting any clearier, and if she didn't hurry up, she be stuck with no way out. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage, getting ready to take a leap of faith, maybe she'd have luck on her side. Just maybe.

[THE CATMAN]

It had been a while since he had done anything, he had been just hanging in his secret cave away from all Human civilization. He didn't want to be bothered by such pests, instead he'd rather live in a peaceful environment with absolutely no rules to abide by other than his own. All he needed were the cats that were there and his Siberian Tiger, Rasputin and he'd be just fine. Well, he'd be just fine for the most part anyways. As he hung around in the cave, he could see that his cats were all snuggled up by Rasputin, asleep. He wasn't going to bother any one of them, today was just going to be a day of studying for him.

He decided that it was about time he go and check back on the rest of the Human civilization and see if they were the same as he had last seen when he was there. As far as he knew, they were still as cruel as ever and only getting worse. Catman now has a reputation as a villain there, but if only they knew why he does the things that he does, they'd see themselves for the destructive beings that they are.

Catman stole from them because they stole from him, he killed because they killed. If it wasn't for their antics, his child would still be alive. He believed that he had every right to get revenge on the man that had done this which is why even after he killed the man, he went on to do the same to others as well, teaching them a lesson that they would never forget. Even though Catman is a human, he still likes to think of himself as a Cat more than anything. Yes, he disowned his own race but he had every reason to. He didn't want to be anything like them, but because of his actions, it would come to ones mind that he was just like them more than he knows.

Of course, Thomas Blake also known as Catman doesn't feel that way at all. He feels that he was just giving each and every one of them what they deserve. Sure, there are people who aren't cruel and vile like the man who decided to take an innocent life, but Thomas didn't know that. He had never met anyone who wasn't like that, so he had no reason to believe anything other than what he already believed for the longest time.

Usually, Catman would go out to get himself all cleaned up at this time but he was awake way before any of the cats, so he was able to get up and get out of there and get himself cleaned. He didn't like to be dirty, nor did he like his feline friends to be dirty either. Since he was already clean, he had one less thing to do on his list. Instead, he decided to head out without warning, to see what was going on in the civil world. Before doing so, he looked back at his friends to see that they were still asleep.

Without any further delays, he leaped out of the cave and glided down to the nearest building, landing on its rooftop. Sure, it was a long way down but he's Catman, he could handle it with ease. Catman was never an ordinary man, that's one thing for sure. The first thing Catman did when he landed was look around to see if anything was happening around him, and then he looked downward to see if there was any chaos below. Out of nowhere, he heard a female child screaming for her mother. All Catman did at this point in time was just stand there and watch as the building was in flames.

He had no intention in saving anyone, he'd much rather watch as the building burned down to the ground. Whoever was inside must be getting what they had coming to them then. It's not that he was being mean or anything, he just felt that everything happens for a reason. If someone gets burned to crisp, that certain someone must have done something wrong in order to get that treatment in return. Yes, Catman believed in karma. He watched as people were running everywhere making a big scene, trying to do whatever it takes to get someones attention because they needed to get the fire put out quick, or else everyone inside would die.

Something came over Catman from the inside, and he was actually going to help save the child's life at this time. Part of him wanted to show the world that he wasn't as evil as they were portraying him to be, and that everything that he does is for a reason. He knew that no one would ever take killing someone or stealing someone as a good way of teaching some a lesson, but if he were to safe the little girl, they would possibly see things in a new light. If anyone in that building were to live, he needed to act fast.

The first thing he did was grab out his grappling hook, aiming it toward the open window hinge, and shot himself to it. Once he was inside the window, he would immediately need to use his senses to get a feel where the people were that were inside the building. As he hurried through, he seen this woman about to take a leap. He watched as she looked as if she was about to take a risk that may kill her, he reached out his large broad arm, in an attempt to help her come across. "Grab my hand." he said in a serious tone. Sure he was in his Catman attire, but he wasn't dumb enough to let his cape get set on fire like others have done in the past, he knew better than that. He waited for her to grab his hand, she needed to hurry up and grab his hand so that he could help her up and they could quickly go to save that girl.

[jacquelyn]

Aviary had not been expecting the flames to start up the wall on the opposite side of the building, they climbed up the walls, the heat causing the windows to blow out into the crowded streets below. 

Hazel eyes watered as the smoke stung her eyes and the heat from the flames was against her back.

Looking over her shoulder, Jacquelyn took several steps back away from the edge and moved to make her running leap. Her gaze zeroed into on the child, and she couldn't help how her blonde hair morphed and in her place the girl crouching by her mothers body turned her head and staring back at her was her sisters face as a little girl, her hand reached out towards her. 

"Help me, help Avi!"

None of this really happened, it was all in her head, but that didn't stop, the look of utter devastation and sorrow, that changed her features and the small inaudible noise of grief that slipped past her lips. That was 

"Grab my hand"

Those words brought her back to the present, taking in the muscular and custom clad, man who was braving the flames to give her a hand over the leap, that could kill them both of the floor under his feet gave way.

Who is this guy, how did he get in here?[/color]

Aviary shook her head and broke her scattered thoughts as she schooled her features, as she gave a slight nod of her head, before she took a deep breath and ran the short distance to the caved in floor and leapt the gap, she didn't scream, even as she felt herself come up a little short. 

Her black gloved fingers latched onto the man's wrist, as she felt his hardened muscles move under her fingers, even through the thick riding material as he held her there suspended above the three story drop, her hazel eyes locking with his own.

[THE CATMAN]

She grabbed a hold of him just in time for her to get over the gap, and now it was time to save the little girl that was stuck inside. For a quick moment though, his eyes had locked with hers. However, it wasn't a good time to be doing something like this, they had other important things to worry about. Someone's life was at stake, and they both knew that. Catman took a moment to view his surroundings, he could sense that the little girl was close by. He remembered where the girls cries had came from, and that gave him an idea. However, doing something like this, they would have to be very careful.

"We don't have much time.." he stated firmly. He felt that it had to be said, if this girl was going to live then they would have to get her out of there before the entire building burns down. He knew that this woman was independent, but he knew that doing this would get them to their destination quicker. The fire was starting to cave in and surround them even further. He quickly, took out his grappling hook and wrapped his right arm around her, securely. "Hold on tight." he said lightly as he shot them both over the fire that was gaining on them in good timing. They were now in a easier spot to handle, sure a lot of the rooms were blocked off and it would be hard to get through the broken objects and other burning areas.

The entire building was sure not going to last that much longer, it was obvious. The floors were weak and he knew that if he gave too much pressure, either one of them could fall through. He had just noticed that he still had his arm around her from when he was trying to shoot them across the fire, so he just let go of her. He tried his best to look for an opening, even though it didn't seem as if there was any. There was only one thing that they could do, make an opening. Sure it seemed like much, but if done properly then they should be able to get to the girl in time. He looked into her eyes, and he knew that they were both on the same page and that they knew exactly what to do.

He could tell that the fire was getting worse in the building because he started to sweat, and he was able to feel the heat coming from near by. The Fire Department ought to be there by now spraying the entire building down with water, but that wasn't the most important thing at the moment. If everyone that was in the building were saved, then the flames eternally burning the building would be the least of the citizens of New York City's worries. Usually, Catman wouldn't care but he wanted to prove a point to the people of the city. Not only that, but he just felt like doing something different than what he's used to doing for once.

[jacquelyn]

Aviary felt the strong arm of the man holding her pull her to the safety of the other side of the fourth floor. She look in the floor as best that she could. She turned looking towards them to the stairs leading to the other three floors. She crouched next to the little girl, she brushed her hand against the girls forehead, looking down at her mother, who was still barely breathing. She knew they had only a little time.

"Lift her mother, we need to get the rest of these people out of here. I've requested air evac on the roof. NY PD should have the choppers already there."

Her gaze went back to the little girl who was about six years old. She checked her mothers pulse with her fingers and frowned to herself, breathing against the inside of her shirt. She removed her scarf placing it over the girls mouth.

"Sweetheart what's your name? Mine is Aviary, can you hold this to your mouth and breath through it for me? My friend and I are going to get you and your mother out of here okay, I'm going to carry you to the roof alright?"

Aviary asked watching the girl do as she asked and she smiled a little bit as she lifted her thin frame into her arms. Her eyes on the man in the cat outfit, it was strange indeed to be this close to those super-heroes people seemed to worship nowadays.

"Neena...is my momma going to be ok?"

Aviary gave a small nod of her head hoping that she was right and her mother would be just fine, they just had to make it to the roof. She turned her head listening she could hear it the chopper was on the roof, the dust being blown around them by the blades of the choppers.

Aviary had a bad habit of assuming people would follow her orders. Those on her task force obeyed because they knew her ideas, her plans were sound. Others not so much, it often took coaxing and she wasn't used to coaxing anyone, she wasn't around many people who didn't listen to what she said.

She went up a flight of stairs before she looked back to see if her masked partner had the young girls mother and was doing what she said and following her up the stairs to the roof.

She waved people up, telling them to get the roof. She passed the little girl off to an older man, who claimed to be a friend of Neena's mothers. She turned back around to check on Catman's progress, to see if he was indeed right behind her.
***
Making it up the flight of the stairs wasn't hard, what was hard was getting these people on to the helicopters, only four people could go at a time, and there were only two choppers making the rounds and there were a total of tweleve people on the roof, not including herself. She frowned picking up a radio one of the pilots let her have as she moved over to the side of the building looking down at the fire fighters and police officers on the scene.

"I want the civilians taken first, Captain. Get me the local News helicopter if they're gonna be in our air space, they may as well pull their weight. This building isn't going to last much longer."

She curled her hand around the device and hissed in frustration. This wasn't good. Her hand curled into her hair and she looked out at the city, trying to think of a plan B.

[THE CATMAN]

He wasn't one to just up and save someone and call it a day, but this had to be done. She mentioned the little girls mother, and he nodded in agreement. He looked at the child and knew that it would be lost without her mother, so she picked her mother and prepared to carry her to safety. He listened to how nice Aviary was to the little girl, something he hadn't heard much from anyone. Usually all of the Human's he knew had nasty attitudes, an attitude in which he most of the time would just return back to them.

When the little girl had asked if her mother would be fine, he just nodded his head before actually letting a few words escape his mouth. "She'll be fine.." he said lightly before following Aviary close behind. He wanted to keep an eye on her and see where she was going to make sure that she doesn't get consumed by the flames that were closing in. It was time that he and Jacquelyn get to the roof, but right now it was seeming as if they weren't going to have enough time.

However, Catman wasn't going to let themselves go down like that. He was going to get the both of them, including the little girls mother, to the roof. All he needed was Jacquelyn to trust him and they'd be out of there in no time. He had no time to waste, he quickly caught up with her as he held the unconscious mother in his arms. He knew that the if they didn't get out of there soon, the mother wouldn't survive to live another day. Luckily, she was in the hands of two people that would make sure that she would continue to live.

"Grab a hold of me..quick!" he said firmly. She needed to do so now, they couldn't waste time. "All I need is for you to trust me, I'm going to get us out of here." He was ready to get them to the roof within good timing but she needed to grab a hold of him within good timing in order for them to continue with this plan. Once they were on the roof, Catman was going to make sure that anyone that was on the roof, gets brought down to the surface of the ground. Of course, Catman would have to carry a few at a time and go back and forth, but Catman was very fast. It wouldn't take him that long to do something like that, all he needed was to get to that point, and everything would be a piece of cake from there.

[jacquelyn]

Aviary wasn’t one to take orders from someone she didn’t know. She shot the man in the mask a look and narrowed her eyes into a steely glare. She turned her back on him, continuing to speak into the radio, as the first two choppers lifted off into the air heading to the nearest hospital, with the eight most seriously injured, which would take them less than fifteen minutes to get there. One thing to not do was to try and boss her around or tell her what was going to happen, when her idea was clearly a much better one than yours and the second thing was don’t interrupt her when she’s talk to someone else, she didn’t give a damn if someone interrupted her, but not when she was telling someone else just what would be going on.
 
Jacquelyn wasn’t always someone who let anyone tell her what to do, for her it was a sign of respect or when someone pulled on the chain of someone above her, but usually it was all about respect, while she respected the man for giving her a hand fifteen minutes ago, she didn’t know a damn thing about him and that was something she didn’t like. It would change if she had anything to say about it.

"Richard it's Aviary Eves"

"Yes, that's right Senator Julian Eves daughter of California. Listen I'll give you full disclosure of the apartment fire, of you land your news helicopter on the roof and get these last few citizens of New York off this building for me. You'll have the front page article of this mornings newspaper."

Aviary told him dangling the last bit as she knew Richard couldn't say no to front page news and this stunt would make him look good too. Call it mean but she knew how to prey on man's ego.

She watched the news 3 helicopter approach the roof and land and she heard the build groan at the weight. Her eyes went wide and she quickly ran over the copter and gestured to the building as the blonde reporter held on to her hand in a gesture that was more than friends. She shook her head and helped the the last of the tenants of the building in.

The whole building suddenly tilted and  the roar of the blades drowned out the frightened screams of the passengers.

Richard let go of her hand to hold onto the hand hold, an instinctive reaction, but she was falling hard on the roof and sliding back to the flat surface of the building.

Heart pounding in her chest she scrambled to her feet and shouted at them to go to take off.

She looked over at Catman and reached for his arm, her fingers curling around his muscular arm as she held on as curled against his side.  

"Okay, any ideas now?"

She yelled to him to be heard over the building that was about to crash to the ground, the fire having eaten through the floors and support beams. 

As she stood there her other hand curling around the top of his hand, she felt guilty for having not listened to his ideas. Hell she didn't even know his name. What a way to go out, she never thought her taker to the afterlife would be the flames of a fire and being crushed to death, she always thought she'd die from a bullet.