"Run, Russell!" Parker wrapped an arm around her to help her move against the strong wind. Once inside, they realized they'd lost power.
"Emily, where's the flashlight?"
She ran to a drawer and pulled one out. "Grab food, water, and blankets, Russell, hurry!"
Parker did as he was told, moving as fast as he could. Emily grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the back door. With as much strength as he could, he held the door open against the wind while Emily ran around back to the cellar.
"I haven't been in here in years! Use the light to see the steps!"
"I have to go back inside and grab water! I couldn't carry it all!" Their voices were barely heard in the storm. "Get inside, your cast is soaked!" Emily nodded, then went down the steps. Suddenly, the rain stopped. The familiar sound of a freight train made her scream.
Parker saw the tornado in the field as soon as he rounded the corner of the house. He ran back to the cellar as fast as he could. With great effort, he closed the cellar doors, grabbed Emily's hand, and hurried her to the farthest corner. She was crying hysterically.
"Emily! It's going to be okay," said Parker, even though he didn't believe one word of it. He wrapped the blanket around them both, then pulled her to the ground with him. As they lay face down, Parker tried to shield her with his own body the best he could without crushing her. The sounds of the house getting torn to shreds seemed like they lasted for hours instead of a minute.
When he was sure the tornado was gone, he got up and headed back up the steps to the cellar door. He couldn't budge it. Parker knew they were buried. He got out his phone, only to see he had no signal.
"We're trapped in here, aren't we?" Emily was still crying.
"Yeah, I can't get the door open. My phone isn't working."
"Russell, no one will find us!"
"Emily, listen to me," began Parker as he pulled her into his arms. "They'll know we're down here. My secretary will find out there's a problem when she tries to book my flight. She won't be able to contact me and she'll send someone. We once owned this land, she knows where it is." Emily nodded but continued to sob. Parker pulled her into his chest.
"Do you have a radio down here?" Parker was hoping to check on the weather.
"Yeah, but I doubt you'll find good batteries. My grandfather kept up on everything. I'm sure that stopped once he knew he was sick."
Parker found the radio and she was right; it was dead. They sat in the dark, conserving the flashlight batteries. When Emily would start to cry, Parker would make small talk.
"Where did you grow up?" Parker still had his arms around her.
"Here, in Springfield...on this land as a matter of fact."
"I didn't notice another house. Do you see your parents often?" Parker knew there had to be a problem or certainly her parents would be helping her.
"Our house caught on fire. I was here spending the night with my grandfather when it happened, or I'd be dead too. I miss them both."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Emily."
"It was a long time ago. I was just a kid, but I remember seeing our house in flames and the sounds of my grandfather screaming their names just like it was yesterday. There were crowds of people, and I thought my parents were mixed in with them."
They sat in silence for a while. Parker hoped that she'd fall asleep, but she didn't. In the quiet, dark cellar, they both heard the sound of debris being moved, and footsteps.
"Help!" They both yelled.
"You're okay! I need help getting this stuff off the cellar door! Sit tight, I'll be right back!"
Emily threw her arms around Parker and kissed his cheek. "Oh my God!"
Parker hugged her back, then they anxiously waited. The sound of a tractor got louder as it approached the back of the house. It took about thirty minutes before the engine was shut off and the cellar door opened.
"Is everyone okay? Emily Carson, are you in here?"
"Yes, I'm coming up!" Parker helped Emily up the steps. She suddenly stopped. "Oh..." She went down to her knees.
Parker stood on the stairs behind her and looked at a third of the house, the only part left standing. He knelt and wrapped his arms around Emily as she cried.
"I'm from Tender Care. The agency spread out to check on our patients who live in this area. I'm glad you two are okay. You obviously can't stay here, Emily. There's a church that opened its doors and we're making a temporary shelter there. I'm sorry, sir, but our space is limited."
"It's okay, I have a motel room if the place is still standing."
"It should be. The tornado didn't reach downtown."
"Come with me, Emily, so I can get you over there."
Emily let the young man with unruly blond hair and a name tag that read "Tyler" help her up. As he led her away, Parker watched her turn around, her face saddened.
"She can stay with me," said Parker as he saw the look of sadness turn to relief.
"You won't mind?" Emily asked, full of hope.
Parker winked as he held out his hand, but the SUV was nowhere to be seen. "I think we could use a lift," said Parker as he chuckled. He tried to make Emily smile, but he wasn't successful.
"Sure thing. Come with me to the road and watch your step."
Parker held Emily close in case she tripped. Parts of trees and the house littered the driveway. "How did you get down here?" Parker knew he didn't take this route.
"I drove over to another house and borrowed the tractor. There's an area on the other side that I was able to find." Emily sat between the two men, and Tyler wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, trying to provide comfort.
Parker couldn't wait to get Emily away from him.
When the pickup stopped, Parker was relieved that the motel was standing. After saying their thanks and goodbyes, he reached for his phone. Luckily it was working.
"Rhonda, there was tornado, but I'm okay. I don't know how long I'll be here so you can cancel the flight."
"A Tornado?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine though. I'll touch base soon." He turned his attention back to Emily when he heard her voice crack. When he ended the call to Rhonda, he dialed the rental agency requesting another SUV. He added a bonus if they'd get one to him right away.
"I have to see if I can get my apartment back. I have nowhere to live if I don't. I can't believe my grandfather's house is gone..." Emily looked at the ground but felt a hand under her chin.
"Emily, you'll always have a place to live. We can rebuild your grandfather's house the way it was, or you can pick out a different design. I don't ever want you to worry about that."