Through the Storm(24)
“I was just there. Follow me.”
“That’s seems to be all I can do—follow,” Conner grumbled as she raced ahead.
Together they turned at the intersection and for more than an hour they headed west. Madison led but remained closer, never disappearing into the dark clouds. As they approached Ellensburg, she slowed and Conner rode alongside.
“I’m sorry about leaving you behind earlier.”
“Lousy bike.” And flabby legs. Conner wanted rest. “Do you have a towel or shirt we can use to make a mask for your face?”
Madison grinned. “Yeah, that would be good.” They stopped and she pulled a towel from her bag.
About a mile ahead the road sloped downward. They drank and coasted into town.
“The wind seems to be blowing north.”
She nodded.
“If we keep heading toward the mountains, we should veer away from the fire.”
They cruised to the bottom of the slope and pedaled up the next. The top provided a vista of the surrounding city. Dark, smoky clouds filled the sky, but the town seemed untouched, at least for now. Throngs of refugees lined the road, pushing west toward the mountains. Most were on foot; some rode bikes. The eyes of most stared at the pavement.
One man drove his riding lawn mower with a woman and children in the trailer behind.
An old pickup truck, burdened with more than a dozen people, sped past.
Madison looked to Conner. “A vehicle that works?”
Conner shrugged.
Together they joined the multitude fleeing the oncoming firestorm.
Many adults seemed dazed as they left the city. An old woman with blank eyes sat in a shopping cart as a man about the same age pushed. Children and babies coughed and cried. Families held each other close as together they raced ahead of the flames.
Just west of town, the lines of refugees converged onto the freeway as it rose into the mountains. Within the mass of people, Conner found it difficult to bike. Eventually, he and Madison both dismounted and walked.
Behind him an explosion thundered.
Screams rippled through the refugees. Some ran; most trudged onward.
Conner turned. An orange ball of flame rose into the sky. Had the flames reached a fuel storage area in Ellensburg?
As the sun dipped below the western mountains, Conner slowed his pace and held out his arms. “Feel the wind?”
Madison nodded. “It changed direction.”
He pointed to a nearby hill. “Let’s go there.”
They climbed a rocky hillside and watched the city of Ellensburg burn.
*
Rural Lewis County, Washington, Tuesday, September 6th
Fear grew in Drake as he stared at Ashley on the floor. Sweat rolled down her face. Again Drake fumbled with the key but managed to secure the door. “What happened?”
“Three guys with guns.” Ashley struggled to breathe. “They were breaking into homes and stealing. When I heard shots, I ran.”
“Did they see you?” Drake peered out the window with his rifle ready. “Did they follow you?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
Drake relaxed a bit. He wanted to remind her that he had said she should stay with him but thought better of it. “You can stay here as long as you want.”
“Do you think someone got shot? Maybe they’re hurt or dead?” She curled into a ball and cried. “What’s happened to my mom and dad? What’s happening to … to everywhere?”
Gruff licked her cheek as Drake slid down beside her. In the still dimly lit hallway, he shared what little he knew about the growing crisis.
Ashley shook her head. “A storm on the sun caused all of this?”
“That’s what the pastor said and his son seemed to believe it too.”
“How could that be?”
He shrugged. “It’s daylight so I’m going to get the electricity on.”
Ashley cast him a skeptical glance. “How?”
Drake grinned and strode to the garage with Ashley following. There he grabbed a gas can and rolled the generator outside. He tried to look confident as he followed the step-by-step instructions his father had written, but as he yanked the starter cord, visions of sparks and fire surged in his mind.
The generator hummed; lights flickered on.
“The water is still cold, but in about an hour you can take a hot shower if you like.”
Ashley smiled. “Really?”
He nodded. “I’ve got to feed the animals.”
Ashley followed him, staying closer than Gruff. Inside the barn, she helped him feed the rabbits and chickens and then stayed there watching them while he milked the goats.”
Later, Drake sat at the head of the dining room table, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Ashley walked in with a towel around her head and wearing his robe. Drake tried to think of something witty to say but couldn’t. “I made you a sandwich.”
“Thanks.” She sat beside him. “Do you think the robbers are still near my house?”
“Maybe, but they probably took whatever they wanted and left.”
“Would you mind if I stayed here awhile?”
Drake grinned. “Sure, I guess that would be okay.” Yes!
She nodded and stared at her food for several moments. “I need to go back and leave a note for Mom and Dad. Also, I’ll need clothes and stuff—if you think it’s safe.”