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 focus

everything was submerged, turning the streets

save her... She's been swept away," Susie's voice faintly reached me. She must've called Ernest. That call might just save my life, as long

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

before Ernest did. Susie was also safely brought down

so sorry, this is all my

guilt, but I was too weary to comfort her. I was soaked,

water but knives had rolled over

heard Ernest's

gear, standing tall and

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

to come over and wrap me

Ernest merely glanced at me, then back

I felt a

Susie

ook her

down her face, "I'm

me to safety. I'm

check on