Page 84 of Desperate Creed

“Did you see her yesterday or today? Hannah said her nightmares are back. I can’t help but wonder if it’s because I’m gone.”

“No, I didn’t. But she needs to know that she can survive without you.”

“Yeah, but my mom’s visiting this weekend.”

“Ah! You sure that’s not why you bailed? Although, I can’t imagine you choosing this over spending time with your mother.”

“Have you met my mom?”

A soft tap-tap at the door interrupted them.

“Come on in,” Dr. Avelyn said.

“Still not finished?” Jason asked.

Creed could see he was carrying a tray. Before he put it down Creed could smell something wonderful. Leave it to Jason to find food.

“Anything about Maggie and Frankie?” Creed asked. He shoved himself up on his elbows so he could look at Jason better.

“Why don’t we wait until Doc is finished. I brought you both something to eat. Three women in a silver SUV pulled into the hotel parking lot with all these sandwiches and stuff for all the first responders and storm victims.”

“Thanks, but just tell me what you know.”

Dr. Avelyn tapped him on the shoulder and gestured for Creed to lie back down.

“Okay, first of all, Maggie says they’re okay,” Jason said.

“But?”

“There’s a fire on top of them.”

“What?” This time Creed rolled over to look at Jason. Even Grace lifted her head. “Those barrels. The HAZMAT team thought they were flammable.”

He was up on his feet and putting on his boots before Dr. Avelyn could stop him.

61

Southern Blessings

Maggie retreated to the other side. She needed to stay with Frankie though her instinct urged her to keep as close to the door as possible. It didn’t matter. The air was getting thinner no matter what side of the room. It wasn’t her imagination. She noticed Frankie struggling to breathe. There were coughs and choking from the others. Whatever slivers and gaps there had been were now being clogged.

She checked her phone. NO SERVICE AVAILABLE.

“Is anyone else getting texts or calls to go through?” she called out.

“I was,” Beth answered. “My last call got dropped.”

“My battery died! This is crazy. We need to get out of here.” Maggie recognized Stephanie’s voice.

She heard thumping and banging. The men were still trying to ram the door. A crash and boom made both her and Frankie jump.

“Thunder.” The rumble vibrated the walls. “Ryder said there were more storms.”

“Oh no,” someone moaned, realizing the same.

Another crack of thunder. Then came a whoosh followed by a barrage of drumming.

Rain.