I took another step back, then two more when I dropped my eyes to the twister that had evolved into an impenetrable heavy wedge from the multiple thin funnels I’d seen on our way back.
This beast was incredible in its ferocity and was barreling straight at us faster than I could think.
“Guys!” I shouted, not taking my eyes off the monster in front of me, even when my hands shakily made their way to my head, my fingers digging into my hair to tug it away from my scalp. “Move your asses!Now!”
“No! I c-can’t l-leave Lucy!” Rose screamed tearfully, her thin voice barely audible over Bucky’s continued barking.
“Rose, we need to get to the shelter,” Daniel said as calmly as he could when they emerged from his bedroom. He was tugging her by the arm as she fought hard to get back to where she’d been. She was sobbing, cursing him out viciously, when he took one look at me before turning his head to see what I was so focused on. He swore loudly, then pivoted, locking his arms around her flailing form so he could lift her free of the floor and physically relocate her against her will.
“NO! LUCY!” She dug her nails into her father’s forearms and started kicking out, trying desperately to get free of the iron cage Daniel had her wrapped in. “She’ll D-DIE!”
“Rose!Enough!”
Bucky barked and growled at the commotion, dancing around them as they moved way too slowly toward the pantry that led to the stairs of the storm shelter.
I took another look at the twister, calculating how long it would take before it would get to us. Although the rain was pelting the glass, the only noises I could hear were Rose and Daniel cursing at each other and Bucky’s barks.
I couldn’t hear the freight train that had been so deafening at the gas station mere days ago.
There was time for me to get Lucy.
I had time.
The most important thing was getting Rose to the shelter, and she was fighting Daniel’s every step in order to get back to his bedroom.
If she knew I would get Lucy, Rose would let herself be taken to the shelter. Bucky would follow his owners without question.
I was the only one who could do it.
It was a stupid, calculated risk, but it could pay off.
“Rose, where is she?” I asked loudly, trying to get her attention.
“What?” Daniel’s eyes widened when he turned his focus onto me, even as Rose continued to kick and scream. “No!”
“It’s the only way,” I told him, even as I felt my spine vibrate with tension. I shifted in place until I could grab Rose’s cheeks, holding her steady until my face was the only thing she could see. “Rose, honey. Where is she?”
Finally focusing on me, Rose hiccupped tearfully, quieting enough to hear my question. “W-what?”
“Lucy. Where is she?”
“Under the b-bed. I almost had her w-when D-Dad p-pulled me b-back.”
“Okay. I’ll get her. Go with your daddy, honey.” I stared into her eyes, willing her to believe me, until she gave a shallow nod, her body going limp in Daniel’s firm arms. The corners of my lips twitched at her surrender before I let her go and looked at Daniel’s horrified face.
His eyes pleaded with me to reconsider, but he knew as well as I did that it was the only way to get Rose into the shelter.
“Go,” I said, wrapping one hand around his neck to give it a quick squeeze. “I’ll be right there. I promise.”
“You’d better” came his rough response before he hauled Rose away from me and toward the shelter stairs. His eyes kept a tight hold on mine until he took a deep breath and turned away.
One jagged breath of my own in, and I was on the move again. A quick glance at the tornado told me that it had stalled, still far enough away that I had time.
I have time.
I have time.
With every thump of my frantic heartbeat, the same three words ran through my head.
