Chapter 11 : S.O.S.

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by junktom

by junktom

They searched from room to room trying to find a radio. Clara clung to Chloe like she has found her guardian angel, chewing on an energy bar to fill her stomach.

They found a line of chargers in a room next to the dispatch center, there were two handheld radios still in place. Chloe was not familiar with police radios, but she turned it on and squeezed the talk button.

"Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! This is Chloe Lukasiak of the Pittsburgh voluntary, calling from Summersville Police Station. If anyone can hear me, I'm with Clara Austin. Request help immediately! Request help immediately!"

There was no response. She picked up another, selected a different channel and repeated the distress call, left it on the desk for reply and returned to the first radio. She repeated the method again and again, switching radios and gave them enough time to respond, before moving to the next channel. When she tried all channels, she returned to the first channel and repeated the process all over. It was the last resource, and she refused to give up, not when she has Clara.

"Chloe Lukasiak, this is FEMA North Base. What is your status?" a radio cracked.

"Oh My God! We're safe!!" Chloe thought out loud and picked up the radio. "North Base, we are at Summersville Police Station. Clara is fine. I have minor injuries. We are running low on food. How long can you pick us up?"

There was a moment of silence, than the radio cracked again, this time with a familiar voice.

"Chloe! This is Arroway!"

"Doctor..." hearing that voice, Chloe began rolling in tears.

"Chloe. Listen to me very carefully. The storm is breaking up, but it's going to bring heavy rain, and it's shifting back north. It's going to be big, getting ready for a final blow. There's a shelter at the library, go there! We'll come to get you as soon as we can."

"How is Pastor Austin? Can you tell him we found Clara?"

There was a short pause, and then Arroway repeated his message again.

"We're coming to get you. Arroway out."

Chloe choked. Arroway would never hide anything from her, he must know Clara may be listening, and didn't want to deliver the bad news.

"Is my Daddy okay?" little Clara asked from behind.

"He's going to be okay..." Chloe lied, trying hard to put out a smile. "There's going to be a big storm coming. We need to stay put, let's make this place comfortable."