No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Everyone scattered in panic.

I grabbed Susie's hand, trying to follow the crowd towards higher ground.

But the floodwaters were faster than our legs could carry us. Susie and I hadn't reached safety when the deluge overtook us. "Licia, Licia..." Susie cried out in terror.

Fear gripped me too, but fear wouldn't save us. By luck, there was a flagpole base not far from us, and I pulled Susie towards it.

Just as I managed to lift Susie onto it, the floodwaters reached me, sweeping me away before I could climb up myself. The force was overwhelming.

Miraculously, I caught hold of something, clinging to it desperately to keep my head above water, to avoid drowning.

"Licia, Licia..." Susie's cries continued, hugging the flagpole, bawling.

Debris carried by the flood battered against me... At that moment, I felt no pain, no cold from the water, only an endless fear.

Life's unpredictability became all too real; never had I imagined facing such a catastrophe.

"Licia, Licia," Susie kept calling.

I couldn't afford to look back at her. As long as she held on, she'd be safe until help arrived.

I needed to

the streets into

me. She must've called Ernest. That call might just save my life, as long as he arrived

was the furthest thing from my mind. I only wished for him to

services reached me before Ernest did. Susie was also safely brought

I'm so sorry, this is

weary to comfort her. I was soaked, cold, and in pain,

but knives had

I heard Ernest's

in work gear,

saved me and almost got swept away herself." Ernest's gaze flickered towards me, his eyes

wished for him to come

at me, then back at Susie, "Are you

a chill colder than the

Susie

her head,

down her face, "I'm

me to

check on