Page 54 of Clear Shot

We all understand he’s trying to make a joke, but it falls flat because I think we’re all scared. No one is willing to say the words out loud, but this is fucking terrifying.

And there isn’t a damn thing we can do about it.

Chapter 19

Hana

The storm ragesthe entire day. Howling wind and rain that’s coming down sideways. Debris flying through the air and the walls of the house rattling. Then, like someone flipped a switch, it’s over. I wake to complete silence and roll over in alarm.

“Aiden?”

His eyes pop open. “What? What’s wrong?”

“It’s so…quiet.”

He frowns for a moment and then sits up. He pads over to the window and peeks out.

“The sun is out,” he announces.

“Oh my God.” I practically jump out of bed and join him at the window. “It’s over.”

“Thank fuck.” He turns and kisses me, our mouths moving together sweetly.

“As much as I wish we could kiss all morning,” I say, “I think we need to see if there’s anything we can do to help Remy clean up.”

He nods. “Let’s get dressed.”

We quickly freshen up and put on clean clothes before heading downstairs.

Everyone else is already up, drinking coffee and talking.

Remy has opened some of the shutters and though the sun is shining brightly, the devastation outside is gut-wrenching.

“Oh my God.” I stare out at what was once a beautifully landscaped yard. Now there’s nothing but fallen trees and debris. Where there were once gorgeous bushes, flowers, and trees, now there’s nothing. Just damage and heartbreak.

That’s the only way to describe it.

And based on what we’re hearing on the news Remy just turned on, we were lucky.

Entire neighborhoods washed out.

Roofs completely ripped from the studs.

Roads underwater.

Hospitals overwhelmed.

And death.

At least twenty people have reportedly died and they’re finding more bodies as the day goes on.

“What can we do?” I ask, staring at the television screen.

“I’ve got a dozen cases of water in the garage,” Remy says. “I’m going to drive around and see if anyone needs help.”

“What about here?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “The house is fine, all things considered. I want to help people who didn’t fare as well.”