FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

C H A P T E R S I X T Y-S E V E N

"Oh, I don't like the sound of that..." Wrecker said.

"Do you mean that early warning system?" I gulped in agreement, tilting my chin up towards the highest point of the island, where the Archium bellowed a series of sirens, resounding across all of Pabu. Just as it ceased, a third tremor, mild compared to its predecesors, rumbled throughout the land. My speculation about the invisible damage was on the mark—the weakened structures began to deteriorate and thicker, more threatening cracks burst through not just the civilians' homes and plazas, but the gargantuan sea wall as well.

"The water's receding..." I informed, managing to keep my composure in this distressing situation. "The oscillation waves will only grow as the withdrawing tide is sucked under...and depending how much water is squeezed from Pabu's shore..." I swallowed again nervously. "will determine the might of the surge when it is returned. We are running out of time as of when the first tremor occurred. Everyone needs to evacuate to the Archium in the courtyard."

"Lyana and Omega are still on the water." Shep said.

Dank ferrik...

"I'll grab our ship and get them." Hunter volunteered. "The rest of you, move everyone in town to higher ground."

We headed out. Once we reached the main platform where the slope began its spiralling ascent to Upper Pabu and the Archium, Hunter parted ways, scaling up to the courtyard. I didn't even get the chance to rant at him to hurry—he seemed to have gotten the message on his own. Civilians scurried around in a panic, clinging to their friends and family as they gained their bearings in the aftershock of the earthquakes.

"Please evacuate to Upper Pabu immediately." Shep instructed his fellow inhabitants. He faced me and my squad. "Knock on every door. Check every home."

"Tech, Wrecker," I called to my comrades, grabbing the former's forearm. "I am the fastest one here. I'll race to the farthest borders of town and secure the area is cleared."

"Have your comm accessible." Tech reminded me with a firm nod. I released his arm and after one final two-finger salute, I bolted across the fractured stone pathways, escorting people in the streets and plazas to the sea wall. I did as Shep asked, searching everywhere. One residence I banged on the door—I could hear a woman's heavy panting and a child wailing—but with the crumbling structure, it was wedged shut.

"Stand back!" I shouted. I backed up a few paces, readied my stance, and rammed my foot into the center hatch. The hinges snapped with a sharp CLICK. It wasn't enough though, so I prepared myself once more and jabbed my heel right at the source, cracking the copper mechanism free, and the door toppled in the entryway. I kicked it once more to clear the exit with a sharp huff. "Come on!" I calmly ushered to the family. "Head to the sea wall and get to high ground!"

I sprinted along and continued to vent my sense of urgency, conducting large hand gestures and projecting my voice until it grew hoarse. I kept running farther even when there was not a sound except for rustling trees and gusts of wind in my ears. I had to confirm there was not a single soul left behind. Eventually, I found myself on the lowest edge of town. I was a mere twenty yards from the seaport. Dusk had settled, and there was not a single light source. I was alone in the dark in the least safest place when a tsunami was coming full throttle. How did I not realize how far I've gone? Why did I not comprehend I was running in the dark? My eyes fell over at the barren seafloor, then I raised my chin to survey the blackened horizon and gulped nervously.

There was no water at all...

Wait, what was that?

I squinted when I noticed the muddied skyline blurred into a ripple. And it was growing.