Showing a Rule-Follower What Rules Really Are

I had bought the tools myself for home use, so I didn't have any receipts. I had no one to witness what happened since Yvonne and I were the only ones in the apartment.

I was trapped in a corner because of Yvonne's evidence.

Meanwhile, Yvonne's campaign for "justice" gained momentum with the full backing of the HOA.

Tanya, acting in the name of the HOA, posted a notice on the community board. "Condemnation of Caleb Johnston, Owner of Unit 801 in Building 3, for Damaging Neighborhood Relations and Endangering Public Safety."

That notice was very jarring on the community board, its language harsh and unforgiving.

Mom and Dad somehow found out about what happened and called the station, prompting Fred to bring the phone to the entrance of the room where I was being held.

Mom was sobbing hysterically on the other end. "What on earth happened, Caleb? How could you bring such shame to this family? Your father is so upset that his heart condition is acting up!"

I held the phone, too choked up to talk. I was the one who had saved Yvonne, yet I was being punished for it. I couldn't help but wonder how my good intentions led to this.

…

It was three days later when the investigation team issued a preliminary assessment. They concluded that my unauthorized actions caused property loss and harmed the department's public image.

They recommended a formal reprimand on my record, the loss of all performance bonuses and awards for the year, and that I pay for part of Yvonne's claim. They also said that I would be suspended from duty to go home and wait for the final decision.

That document alone brought me profound shame.

…

I barely made it through the door of my apartment before a sound came from the hallway outside.

"There's a fire in Building 8!"

I bolted upright as the acrid smell of burning filtered through the doorway. I then heard a familiar scream. "Open the door, Caleb! Help me! There's a fire in my kitchen!"

Yvonne was yelling outside. She pounded frantically at my door, her voice hoarse and thick with tears. "I'm begging you, Caleb! You have to come out right now! It's a huge fire! I can't open the door since it's locked!

"You have to do something, Caleb! You're a firefighter! You can't just stand by and watch—that's intentional homicide!"

She kept shouting profanities, hurling every insult she could think of at me.

I could picture exactly how chaotic the scene was outside my door.

I was aware that the person asking for help was the very one who had pushed me into the abyss, but my instincts were built on breaching, firefighting, and rescue. I subconsciously rushed to the door, my hand already gripping the cold doorknob.

I was already running the rescue procedures in my head. I could break down that door in 15 seconds as long as I used my breaching tools.

I was just about to turn the doorknob when I recalled Mom's wailing from the phone call, condemning me for being a disgrace to the family.

I also remembered the image of the formal reprimand notice vividly, along with Tanya's message in the group chat about teaching a lesson to those who abused their power through their positions.

I gripped the doorknob so tightly that my knuckles actually paled.

Yvonne's cursing faded into pleas right outside the door. "I'm sorry, Caleb! I know it's all my fault! I was wrong to frame you! I don't want the compensation anymore! I'll apologize to you. I'll even get on my knees and grovel before you! I don't want to die, so please save me!"

Yvonne gave up on knocking and began ramming the door with her body.

I slowly let go of the doorknob and backed away from the door. I then took a breath and suppressed that last bit of my firefighter's impulse, stating calmly, "I'm sorry, Yvonne, but since you reported me, I'm currently on suspension and under house arrest.

"You see, in accordance with the disciplinary protocol, I'm not allowed to engage in any duty or carry out unauthorized operations. You'll have to wait for the other firemen and the firetrucks instead, Yvonne."