ARkStorm: A Disaster Thriller by Bobby Akart

Author:Bobby Akart [Akart, Bobby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc.
Published: 2023-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-NINE

Friday

New Year’s Day

North Arroyo Neighborhood

La Cañada, California

“Seriously?” Sammy shouted her question as she looked to the heavens for answers. They were being sandwiched between the floodwaters below and the landslides coming from above. There was no escaping the dual threats. The rain pelted her face, forcing her to cover her eyes. It was Sophie who gave Sammy a new sense of urgency.

“Can we go up there?” she asked, pointing up the steep slope toward a house on Devon Road.

Sammy gauged the threats of the mudslide versus the raging floodwaters. They’d never survive if they got sucked into the river. Their bodies would be swept all the way down the Los Angeles River. The mudslide was not an option either. It was pushing its way toward the river and would eventually add to the remains of her neighborhood rushing downstream.

Their only option was to move along the terrain of the ridge, staying high enough above the river and cognizant of the landslides that were sure to occur. She turned to study the steep backyard of the homes hovering above them. She recalled the street and where it led. It might help them escape. However, they had to hurry.

She led the girls up the slope. Using small trees and landscape rocks, they climbed upward toward the back of the house. Despite the saturated ground, the root systems held as the trio pulled their way up the hill. Only once did Sophie slip and fall. She’d quickly grasped a small tree to avoid sliding down to the street. After a brief respite, they started their climb again.

Sammy nervously changed her attention from the task of ascending the difficult terrain to the status of the mudslide. She kept a wary eye on the floodwaters, which seemed to be rising at a rapid rate. As it consumed more of the newly created shoreline, houses fell into the water in rapid succession.

They neared the home’s backyard. It was fenced like so many others, making it impossible for the young girls to climb over. Instead, they grabbed the wrought-iron pickets and inched their way around to the home’s driveway. There, they found the garage door open. It appeared the family who lived there had made a hasty exit, even leaving the door leading inside wide open.

Sammy led the girls into the garage. All three of them had been close to being badly injured or even killed throughout the ordeal. Standing in the garage provided them the opportunity to relax, at least for the moment.

“Hello? Is anybody home?” Sophie wandered over to the entry door and took the brave step of calling out to the owners. “Knock! Knock!”

Sammy managed a smile at the child’s innocence. She reached for Livvy’s hand. “Come on. I don’t think these nice people would mind if we sat down for a little while, do you?”

Once inside, Sophie entered the great room, which was filled with glass doors overlooking the valley. She pressed her face against the glass and looked around.

“Wow!” Sometimes an often-used expression of astonishment said it all.

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