Under the Mango Tree: 101 Tales (3)

THE POSEIDON INCIDENT

Challenge No.46

Complete and Utter Chaos.

Create a scene of chaos.

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The instructions could not be simpler: RUN - RUN - RUN, apparently that was too complicated an instruction for some. The school drills said it, so did children's colouring books. Public Service Announcements in English and Creole hammed the point home: if the sea recedes far away - RUN! - RUN! - RUN! Because a tsunami is coming.

It was Easter time and families of all sizes and generations were at the beach. It was the first Easter after the World Health Organization had made the announcement. The COVID-19 pandemic was over. The world celebrated like it was New Year and Lucians had headed for the beach.

Cricket, volleyball, barbeques, all were taking place at the many beaches around the island.

Giovanni was enjoying himself; he'd turned sixteen that week and he and his family were having a great time at his birthday beach party. The game of cricket was all-engrossing and fun. One of his uncles hit the ball. It arched high above everyone's head and into the water - not.

"Where's the water?!" A cousin demanded.

Giovanni felt the cold grip of fear. "Mum!" He ran to her.

"Woah! Lemme get my phone."

"WE HAVE TO GO!"

"Let me do a live stream." His mother moved forward.

Giovanni put his sneakers on, grabbed his phone and repeated. "WE HAVE TO GO! NOW!"

"Just now!" And uncle called back.

He hesitated. Looked around, then he took off sprinting up the hill.

"Giovanni, wait!" His mother called.

Giovanni ran.

"Oh my god!" The screaming started.

Giovanni ran.

"It's coming back! Run!" The panic was clear.

Giovanni didn't look back, he felt like Lot's wife he'd turn into a pillar of salt. He continued running.

"People run!" The mad scramble unfolded.

Giovanni, tripped, stood and ran.

He remembered what the lady from the National Emergency Management Organization had said.

'IF YOU SEE THE WAVE - IT'S TOO LATE.'

Giovanni didn't wait to see the wave. He ran.

'RUN! GET HIGH. UP A HILL. TOP OF A BUILDING. JUST GET HIGH.'

Giovanni ran.

'IT CAN SOUND LIKE A JET ENGINE. DON'T STOP.'

Giovanni heard the noise and ran.

He felt like his heart would give out. He was a long-distance runner at his school, yet he struggled to suck in oxygen. He got halfway up the hill and fell. For a long time, Giovanni didn't dare to turn to see what had happened. But he had to.

His breathing was more settled and he turned to look. He gasped. The coastline had been reconfigured and his family was nowhere to be seen.

Back at NEMO HQ, the Director watched the latest video of the disaster that her staff had found. It showed sand where water had once been, the image panned up to show the approaching wave. "Giovanni, wait!" The woman wailed as the water cut the feed.

The Director bowed her head in horror.

The instructions could not be simpler: RUN - RUN - RUN, apparently that was too complicated an instruction for some.

© 15 April 2022

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