• Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    9
    0

    Sofia stumbled along, blind in the darkness, her left hand tracing the painted concrete wall to her left, the other clutched to her aching ribs. She stopped, planted her back flat against the stubbled surface, and listened. Staccato curses echoed and bounced through the black passage, Jax’s angry voice peppering her with rancid fear. Her ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    28
    0

    Content Warning: violent assault “We’re getting reports the storm surge has begun,” crackled an old radio near the center of the arena. Groups of evacuees nearby quieted to listen. “All civilian areas have been vacated, and no more rescue crews are entering the area near the beach–.” The radio spit rough static and Molly’s forehead ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    33
    0

    “You’ve got it! Pull yourself up!” Lexi grabbed at Simon’s legs as they flailed around her head. “Climb UP, Simon!” His bare feet pushed against her palms with new purpose and she felt the pressure ease as he hauled himself up into the pocket above them. Lexi staggered back, breathing hard, and watched his skinny ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    42
    0

    Sofia handed a flashlight to a woman with wiry gray hair sticking out wildly as if teased by the wind. She took the offering with a feeble, “Thank you, dear.” Hushed voices of more than a thousand souls echoed off the stadium walls and ceiling, which were never meant to muffle noise. The din was ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    48
    0

    “That’s it, buddy,” Marcus said as Matty held his baby sister to his chest and peered over her shoulder, looking for safe places to step. The opening to reach the kids was too narrow for Marcus, so he directed them from above. Rainwater continued running through the gap and into the small space that imprisoned ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    58
    0

    “Who’s injured? Sound off!” The grating static of a two-way radio crackled until the team responded. “Staunton here. I’ve got Trellis and Davidson with me. All uninjured.” “Nguyen here–all good.” “Richards and Stewart are with me–Cruz. Stewart might have a twisted ankle. Otherwise, fine.” Firefighters and first responders found their feet amidst the glistening wet ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    65
    0

    Jeanie snuffled quietly as she held on tight to Lexi’s limp hand. Her young friend continued to stare into space. She rarely blinked, and Jeanie’s worry ratcheted up like the first climb of a roller coaster. Click, click, click. “–never get a crane in here.” Jeanie frowned as she caught the end of the sentence. ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    75
    0

    Pain rose and crashed over Esme like powerful waves hitting the shore. The swells advanced, bigger and faster. She fought against the desire to join in Tammy’s sobs, which rose from below in a long, unbroken stream. Her cries had become steadier and louder over the last hour as the water continued to rise, announcing ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    110
    0

    Pale grains of sand arced in the humid air behind Sophia as she ran. The closer she got, the more jagged pieces of metal littered the ground. Dodging debris, she hurried forward until she could see no more safe places to step. Sophia heaved a great sob as her body expelled her frustration and grief. ...
  • Man standing on a beach with logs stacked all over haphazardly looking toward the sea in a red jacket. A gloomy sky and island is in the background.
    103
    0

    “Well, that about wraps it up, sir.” The young officer shut his notebook and returned it to his front shirt pocket, offering a curt nod as thanks. “Wait,” Marcus said. “Do you know anything? How did this happen? What’s the plan? My wife and two kids were inside–” The policeman lifted his palm in a ...