Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I was glued to the TV, watching reports of flash floods, rivers cresting, and even entire towns wiped out due to levee breaches. Houses, staring down the gaping maw of the breach, were obliterated. Some places were submerged up to the third floor.

I asked, "Are these towns around Crestview Metropolis?"

The guard answered, "Yeah, I heard that almost all the doctors from Century Wellness Hospital were dispatched to those areas to assist with the rescue efforts."

I wondered, 'All the doctors from Century Wellness Hospital were out for the rescue? So, Max hasn't noticed my disappearance because he's out there saving lives?'

I turned to the guards, "Call Claude. I need to speak with him." If there's danger, it's time to leave now. Otherwise, if Elmwood Springs starts flood release, every road out will be impassable, and we'll be sitting ducks.

The bodyguards hesitated at first but eventually dialed Claude. No one answered. After two attempts, no one picked up. A tight knot of worry formed in everyone's stomach.

Then, a loud crash echoed from over the hill. A massive tree had toppled, landing on the house's surrounding fence. Despite the distance, the sound had us all instinctively ducking for cover.

Even I, who had stared death in the face before, couldn't help but flinch.

were asleep, rushing out

now," I ordered the bodyguards. They knew inaction meant certain death for all of us, so

said no one's allowed to leave the villa, or

were used to following Claude's commands without question. They turned

voice. "If we stay, we'll be nothing but corpses! I promise I won't let us get separated. If the

firmly commanded, "Tie her up to the post. Let

the bodyguards began to bind her, the maid

bodyguards carried Lydia down, and I grabbed a medical kit. Lydia's wounds couldn't afford an

our figures, I realized Claude had really gone all out to make

we have

they release the

down the slope, so we must leave now. Driving fast on wet roads

phone, pointing to a high-ground plaza about 3.6 miles away with designated shelters. "Let's head there. We might have to race the