Can't It Just Be A Nightmare?

Oh No

He set his wife on the ground, but she wouldn't let go of his neck. He tried to tell her to let go, but the words just wouldn't come. He buried his nose into her shoulder, and at last a tear came to his eye, slid down his nose, and dripped onto Andrea's skin. She shuddered and let go. She feared the worst, as well.

Tim cautiously went up to the side of the broken cliff and peered down what was once a stable ground - now a pile of mud and rubble.

"Kids?" Tim's throat was raw from worry.

He didn't want to sound scared, but he was very afraid. He loved his kids more than anything. Ever since his wife's miscarriage with their would-have-been firstborn, he has truly understood how precious life really is.

Tim scanned the pile of mud and branches, hoping to see signs of life. He saw nothing but visions of his worst nightmare coming true: both his kids were dead.

"Tim!" Andrea hoarsely called out. She had peered over the edge farther away from her husband.

"I-I think I see movement!" The worried mother's voice had an edge of hope.

Tim looked over from where she was leaning, and sure enough, there was movement under the rubble, 50 feet down.

"Don't worry kids! We'll get you out!"

Tim was ecstatic with joy that they were alive. He realized, then, that he must go down for help.

"Andrea, you go call for help; I'll go down and rescue them."

"But what if you get hurt and I get lost and can't find help?" Andrea was scared of losing her husband, too.

"Andrea, are kids are in danger. Don't worry if something happens to me. Think of Jett and Layla. But, if something unforgiving does happen, I love you."

Tim leaned into his wife, grabbed her neck, and gave her a swift kiss.

"Now, go. I'll-I'll be fine." Tim put on his brave face and headed for the cliff, while his wife went towards their campsite.