I locked my eyes with Misty, then raced over to her.
She saw me coming and then opened her arms.
I wrapped mine around her and held on tightly.
The front door opened and closed twice before we let each other go.
Frank stepped to her side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Two sets of arms wrapped around me, and I knew they belonged to Talia and Lila.
“Tell me,” I whispered.
Everything quieted down.
Frank was the one to speak.
“News report just now. The storm that had been forecast was a whole lot worse than they thought it would be. Lightning struck the main generator, and a chain reaction unfolded.” Hepaused, clearing his throat of emotions he was trying to keep locked down, “The oil rig was up in flames.”
Tears ran down my cheeks, and then I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the numbers Carter had given me.
Reaching the one I needed, I dialed and then pressed the speaker button.
“Caulson,” a man answered.
“Hi, I’m calling for a check-in on Carter Griggs,” I said.
I heard him inhale a breath and knew that wasn’t a good sign.
“Your name?” he asked.
“Harlee Murray.”
“He calls you Harlee Belle.” At the man’s words, I sobbed.
Once I had control over my tears, I asked, “Yes. Is he okay?”
He was silent for a beat, then he said, “There was an accident. Right now, we aren’t sure of the confirmed damage or the survivors.”
I felt my knees weaken, and thankfully, Lila and Talia let me go in time for Garrick to catch me.
Garrick whispered in my hair, “He’s going to be alright. He’s a stubborn motherfucker.”
I knew that Misty was in the same predicament I was in because she didn’t chastise Garrick for his language.
“Who is that?” Caulson asked.
“That was his brother Garrick. We are all at his parents’ house.” I told him.
Then he asked, “Are Frank and Misty there?”
I nodded, “Yes. They are standing in front of me. You’re on speaker.”
“Your boy spoke highly of the two of you. And his brothers and his sister. But especially you, Harlee. As soon as we know something, expect a call from me. Okay?”
I wiped at my tears and said, “Okay.”
And like that, everyone gathered around, and we waited.
