Ghost had been enjoying his new job. He’d moved to L.A. on a whim, the death of his best friend and a need for a fresh start the catalyst. He searched and searched for a reason as to why what happened, happened. Why Soap and not him? And when he found none, it had nearly been too much. One person too many gone from his life.

So it was either make the change or succumb to the shell of a man he had become. And he found new purpose with this job. He had joined L.As search and rescue team. The training had been straightforward and he excelled. He got all the certifications he needed and he was selected to work on the canine unit, being assigned a dog named Riley, funnily enough. It simply solidified he had made the right choice.

You hadn’t been in L.A. long, also having moved for a new start. You had a new job in a rather run down building, but it paid the bills and you enjoyed what you did. Now, you’d never experienced earthquakes before. And maybe you should have factored that in when you made the decision to move here. This earthquake wasn’t a big deal to a normal resident, but to you? It was like the earth was falling out from under you.

And now it was, because the building isn’t up to code, and it can’t handle the shaking and rumbling. Debris and dust surround you. You can barely see past the gray haze and the blurriness in your vision, but you know you’re trapped. Buried in cement. Warm blood trickles down the side of your face as you try to take stock of yourself. Do you have all your limbs? Can you move them all? Are you numb anywhere?

Minutes or hours could have passed, you aren’t sure. There is a loud bark that vibrates off the walls. “Good boy, Ri.” A deep, accented voice says.

Tears begin to well in your eyes. “I’m here!” you sob, but your voice is hoarse and quiet.

There is more barking. “I’m comin’, Ri. You find someone?”