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.

commotion had the maids, who were asleep, rushing out and

bodyguards. They knew inaction meant certain death for all of

blocked their way. "No, Mr. Hart said no one's allowed to leave the villa, or

like Lydia, held a soft spot for the Hart family and were used to following Claude's commands without question. They turned to me, waiting for my

we stay, we'll be nothing but corpses! I promise I won't let us get separated. If the flood comes, no one will get

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

to bind her, the maid started crying, pleading, "No, please. I'll come

grabbed a medical kit. Lydia's wounds couldn't afford an infection, and I could

total of sixteen people. Looking over our figures, I realized Claude

we

they release

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

plaza about 3.6 miles away with designated shelters. "Let's head there. We might have to race the floodwaters halfway, but the higher we go, the safer we'll