The sky lit up with the flashing light. The air swelled with heat so hot it burned through the treetops. The wind gnashed at the water, making it froth and churn. The rumble of thunder boomed like a cannon firing across the sky.
“Run!
Quick! Inside!” Cal shouted, his voice sounding like a
whisper as it reached Fran’s ears.
She was only a foot away but struggled to hear him. Fran grabbed Ellie and Tommy’s hands, pulling
them with her. Leaning into the wind,
she inched her way to the storm shelter’s doors. Cal yanked the door up and held it as they
stumbled down the steps. Fran landed
first and Ellie and Tommy tumbled onto her.
Cal slammed the doors shut and bolted them. He staggered down the steps as Fran and the children
were dusting themselves off.
“Go sit on the cots while I get you some blankets.” Fran moved over to the shelves by the
bathroom and pulled down two wool blankets.
She shook the dust off and handed one to each child.
“Are we going to die?”
Ellie asked, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“Of course not, stupid.” Tommy nudged Ellie then put his arm around
her. Even at 10, Tommy acted like the
protective big brother.
Ellie leaned on Tommy.
He’d always been there for her.
Fran smiled as bravely as she could. “Ok, who wants some popcorn?”
“Me, me, me!”
Ellie and Tommy chimed in together.
Fran walked over to the cupboard and Cal followed. “What is it Cal?”
“I don’t know.”
Cal rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s
nothing like I’ve ever seen before.”
Fran saw the fear in his eyes, and she shivered. The hair on her arms stood up. She quickly unrolled her sleeves to cover
them up. Cal looked at her
questioningly. “Just goose bumps. It’s kind of chilly down here.” She forced a smile as she filled a bowl with
already made popcorn.
“Here you go!
Fresh from the bag!” Fran laughed
as she tossed a piece into the air and caught it. Ellie and Tommy laughed, trying to imitate
her.
Cal watched his wife.
Something was wrong. This storm wasn’t
right, and Fran knew it. What was she
hiding?
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