Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Suspense/Mystery

The wind blew hard in the town of Cedar. A strong storm was to be predicted. In Oklahoma, storms were usual. It was part of Tornado Alley of course. But Cedar was a main target. As the warm temperature's, vertical wind shear, high instability, and a strong storm were given more than anywhere else. All those ingredients equaled, a tornado. 

Chapter one: Hard rain

Grace's eyes burned in front of the computer screen. Luckily, work was almost over. But Grace got off work earlier than any of her coworkers. She came to work earlier than anyone else, so she could get off early to pick up her children from school. She was the only women in sales. But, she was the best out of all the men. She needed to sell science equipment. Which Grace did best.

The small digital clock on the right side of her computer read 3:30. It was time for her to leave and retrieve her kids from school. Grace turned off her computer and pushed her black chair away from the desk. 

As she walked past the small cubicles, furious typing of computer key's could be heard. Then, the walk down two LONG flight's of stairs began. The sound of Grace's high heels against the stairs echoed through the walls. 

Finally, Grace reached the bottom very worn out, plus aching feet. As she passed the secretary, Grace gave him a smile. He smiled back, showing his perfect white teeth. It reminded her of her husband's smile.. 
Through the two glass doors, Grace could see fat drops of rain fall from the dark clouds. She pulled her plain blue umbrella from the bin next to the the door.  Grace pulled at the door. It wouldn't open. Then she realized the word 'push' was right in front of her face. She face palmed. Grace pushed the door opened a little before unfolding the umbrella. 

Rain pounded against the umbrella top. Rain ran against the curb. Grace carefully  jumped over the running water and puddles until she reached her convertible.
`Thank god I didn't leave the top down` Grace thought. 
She hopped in turning the radio on right away. Her favorite band 'Twenty One pilots' was on. She sang along for a minute or two before a 'BEE-OOP-BEE-OOP' interrupted. 
"A tornado watch is in effect for many counties in Oklahoma. Some include-" 
The distorted man voice said over the radio. Much static was said thought the message, but Grace heard enough. She stepped on the pedal, leaving the parking lot quickly. Nothing was to be played around with when a tornado could occur.

After eight minutes, Grace reached the school to pick her kids up. They sat under the awning attached to the school, shivering. Grace pulled up right in front of the kids. Both children ran up to the car. "Momma's here!" Skylar cheered.
Skylar and Shane ran up to the car, sliding open the van door.  
"Hey guy's! How was school?" Grace asked both her children, as they settle in their booster seats. 
"We didn't get to go to recess." Shane replied with a frown. 
"Well of course. It was pouring." Grace said as she turned the car wheel. 
"But we did have some pizza!!" Skylar yelled with glee.
"That's great. But um guy's, a storm's coming..a STRONG storm." Grace said with concern. 
"Oh no, Momma. I'm scared. Will there be a twister?" Shane said fearfully. 
"Um.." Grace didn't want to scare her children. 
"When Momma doesn't reply that means yes." Skylar whispered to Shane.
Shane started to cry. 
"What if we die!?" Shane cried.
"No sweetheart. We won't die. After all it's only a tornado wa-" Before Grace could finish the Emergency alert system came on. Grace turned it down right away. The kids would freak out. She already knew a warning was next.

Chapter two: Sirens

"Momma what was that? Why did you turn it down?" Shane questioned. 
"Just a..um..a song with bad words." Grace lied. 
"Oh, Mk." Shane replied. 

Finally, they reached the house. The clouds were darker, and the thunder was more persistent. 
"Kids, get inside. Quickly." Grace gave the children a small shove.
"Is everything alright Momma?" Skylar asked, her eyes big. You could tell she knew that something wasn't right. 
"Yes.. Just get inside. Please." Grace replied.
"Okay." Skylar ran inside after her brother. 
Grace grabbed her bags, papers, and folders, careful not to drop them. In the sky, birds scattered in all directions. 
Shane waited at the door for his mom, to hold it open for her.
"You're such a gentleman." Grace said with a smile and nod.
Just then, sirens went off in the distance. Grace dropped her bags and shouted: " Skylar, Shane, RUN INTO THE BASEMENT!" 
Without hesitation, both children sprinted towards the basement door. Grace followed right behind them.
"MOMMA, WE'RE GONNA DIE!!" Shane screamed. Both kids started to sob.
"Shh. It'll be alright." Grace comforted. Grace held both children tightly. Then, an ear piercing whistle filled the family's ears.

Chapter three: Coming through

Both children screamed again, but louder. Grace held them even tighter. The walls around them started to tear off. It was horrible. The sound of her children's screams..the wood splitting in half..the wind and rain pounding against their heads. Grace's head was pounding and nothing made sense. It felt like hours just crouched on the floor. But then..everything just..stopped. It felt like the whole world just froze.

Chapter four: Search and rescue

The dead silence was deafening. Grace didn't wanna open her eyes. She didn't known what to expect. But Grace got the strength to open them. She looked around. Total destruction was all that Grace could see. Then, a thought came to her mind.
`WHERE THE HECK IS SKYLAR AND SHANE!?` Grace thought. 
She got up and turned her head frantically. They were no where to be seen.
"SHANE! SKYLAR!" Grace shouted, tears filling her eye's. Other shouts were heard in the distance. Grace started picking up pieces of rubble and debris. After twenty minutes of searching through the destruction, a small hand peeped through some wood. Right away Grace cleared the debris from the body. 

There lie Skylar and Shane.
"KID'S! TALK TO ME. PLEASE!" Grace whispered loudly. None of them answered. Grace shook them.
"Please. Don't leave me now. Not like your father did." Grace cried.
"M-momma?" Skylar whispered.
"Skylar! My baby!" Grace pulled her into a hug, kissing her head.
"Momma Shane is hurt. Please help him." Skylar told her mother with concern.
"Oh baby, I will." Grace replied, reassuring Skylar.
"Will me and Shane be okay?" Skylar asked.
"I'll check on Shane.." Grace pulled Shane into her arms. She wiped the dirt off his face to reveal his smooth pale skin. She checked his pulse.
"Skylar..follow me. We need to get help, ASAP." Grace said sternly.
"Okay Momma." Skylar followed behind Grace, carefully stepping over glass and what was left of their home. In the distance an ambulance was seen, along with Red Cross trucks.
"Oh please help my son!!" Grace tried to project her voice all the way over to them. No one responded. Shane's body felt cooler. Grace ran as fast as possible.

Finally, Grace reached the emergency responders.
"My son! He's hurt, Please help!!" Grace said, desperate to find help.
"We'll do what we can. These ambulances can only hold so many." The young nurse replied.
"O-okay.." Grace choked back the tears.
"Momma, why aren't they helping Shane?" Skylar asked, puzzled.
"You see Skylar, Many people were hurt during the tornado.. And..and..", Grace started to sob, "YOU PEOPLE NEED TO HELP MY SON! HE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED..OR WORSE!!!" 
"Ma'am, please stay calm. We'll try our best, but right now we are busy as heck." The nurse replied. 
"I'm sorry.. Its just.." Grace apologized.
"I understand. I have one child and I would give him the world." The nurse said with understanding. Grace nodded with a smile. Grace sat on the ground, Shane in her hand's, and Skylar next to her. 

Chapter Five: The hospital

About thirty minutes pass, before the nurse takes Shane to the hospital. 

When they arrive at the hospital, Shane is rolled in on a stretcher. Many crying people wait in the waiting room, waiting to see if their loved ones are alright. Grace followed the stretcher through the crowded hallways. When the stretcher arrives to the ER, Grace has to leave and wait. Her and Skylar await to have Shane come back..safely. Grace paces back and forth awaiting the fate of her son.

An hour passes and Shane has not came out of the ER. Then finally, a nurse calls Grace's name. Grace walks over nervously.
"Miss, your son..he's.." ,the nurse hesitates, "he's right here." 
Shane rolls out in a wheelchair.
"SHANE!! OH MY BABY!" Grace yells with relief.
"Hi Momma." Shane replies. 

Grace pulls him into a hug, and Skylar joins in too.

Hey guys! This is book one of a natural disaster survival series. Hope you like this one. I put a lot of work into it. 😀