Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
The ax is lightweight and easy to handle. After pulling it free, I glance over my shoulder to make sure Hope and Frannie aren’t right behind me before I start swinging the thing. I take a step back and then swing it hard overhead, landing the blade on the thinnest part of the metal between the knob and door.
Crack!
The knob flies off, scuttling across the concrete floor before rolling over the edge and into the water below. The door swings open, nearly smacking me in the face. I grab hold of it and then gingerly peek my head outside.
It’s pouring down rain now, making it difficult to see much more than a few feet out in front of me. But based on the broken glass, hunks of concrete, and tangles of metal from other buildings that have landed on the roof, it’s safe to say that the buildings around us aren’t in much better shape.
My eyes land on a milk-jug-sized piece of concrete. I run through the rain the few feet ahead and scoop it up. When I come back, both women are watching me warily. The wind fights me, but I manage to shut the door and push the concrete in front of it to keep it from swinging back open.
“Now what?” Frannie asks, despair etched into the lines of her face. “What do we do now?”
Roll over and die because, like Kyle said, we’re fucked.
“We’ll figure it out,” I lie. “Let’s get everyone up here and then we’ll figure it out together.”
Kellen
I’m still having trouble coming to terms with the fact there’s water. Everywhere. And, from the looks of it, not receding anytime soon.
They warned us.
They’ve been warning us for fifty goddamn years.
It’s hard to believe that it’s finally happening. Almost as if I’m caught in a realistic nightmare—a devilish wet dream and not the fun kind.
Kyle curses from near the window I’d been almost swept out of not long ago. Brian, behind him, bobs in the water, looking into the distance along with him.
“What is it?” I call out, voice hoarse and quavering. “What do you see?”
“Water!” Kyle yells back. “The city is a fucking ocean. We’re screwed!”
Elise starts sobbing uncontrollably while Gerry attempts to console her. Barb grabs my hand, squeezing it. As their boss, I should be telling them everything will be fine and coming up with some sort of plan.
Yet…
All I can do is remain frozen, my brain the only thing moving and wildly at that.
The heavy rain pelting the building is nearly deafening coupled with the way the wind howls. The building groans and creaks, making me wonder how much longer it can take the storm’s abuse. If it collapses and washes away, we’ll be dead within seconds.
Might be the easiest way out for everyone.
Quick death by drowning.
Kyle starts swimming back toward us, face twisted into a frustrated glower. Brian remains near the windows, staring out into what used to be the bay.
Barb shudders and turns to look at me. “Should we move the furniture like Tyler said to do?”
The mention of Tyler has my anxiety ratcheting up again. They’ve been gone for a good fifteen or twenty minutes, which unnerves me, especially since Frannie is with them. What if they got trapped without air?
I nod, attempting to shake away my fog where I want to hide away from reality and responsibility. Pretending this isn’t happening won’t save us.
You can’t run from your problems this time.
If only Dad and Knox were here to see you now, facing shit head-on like a man.
“Yeah,” I agree with a grunt. “Let’s do what we can until they come back.”
If they come back…
Kyle wades out of the water and collapses next to Barb. His suit, soaked through, molds to his body and his chest heaves with heavy breaths. His wild eyes meet mine, a mixture of disbelief, terror, and fury. Tearing my gaze from his, I stand on shaky legs and then assess my office, or what remains.
Since most of the furniture is floating around or possibly swept out the window to the sea, moving the heavy concrete plantar, bookcase, and table with one remaining chair shouldn’t be difficult.
I’m contemplating where to start first when someone pops out of the water, sucking in a huge breath. Tyler. Relief floods through me when Hope and Frannie show up right after. Tyler splashes toward me, brows pinched.
“What?” I demand, voice hoarse. “What’s wrong?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. The stairwell is dry. We need to get everyone there. It’s a lot safer than this.” He gestures to my office that’s half underwater. Then he lowers his gaze. “There are bodies there, though. We’ll need to do something with them.”
My starved stomach seizes at the thought of seeing and touching a dead body. The only one I’ve ever touched was that of my mother. I’m already cracking under the stress of today. Memories of Mom will only obliterate me completely.