Only Skeletons Remain

Chapter 31: Hurricane Maria

2017

Harper and Liam stood side by side on the balcony of their family's home in Puerto Rico, their wide eyes fixed on the horizon. The ocean, usually a tranquil blue expanse, had transformed into a churning, grey beast. Dark clouds loomed ominously, casting a foreboding shadow over the coastline as Hurricane Maria approached.

Harper clutched the railing tightly, her knuckles white. "It looks so angry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rising wind.

Liam nodded, his expression a mix of fear and fascination. "I've never seen the ocean like this before," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "Do you think we'll be okay?"

Before Harper could answer, their father, Javier, appeared behind them. He placed a reassuring hand on each of their shoulders. "It's going to be alright, chicos. We've prepared as much as we can. Your mamá and I have lived through many storms."

Harper looked up at him, seeking comfort in his calm demeanor. "But this one is different, right? It's stronger than other ones."

Javier nodded, his face serious but gentle. "Yes, it is. But we're ready. The most important thing is that we stay together and follow the plan. Remember, the safest place is inside."

Liam tore his eyes away from the turbulent sea and glanced back at his father. "Are we going to lose everything, Papá?"

Javier sighed and knelt down to their level, looking them both in the eyes. "Things can be replaced, but our family cannot. As long as we have each other, we have everything we need."

Harper felt the knot in her stomach loosen slightly at her father's words. She glanced back at the ocean, now seeing it through the lens of her father's reassurance. The waves were still menacing, the sky still dark, but the fear gripping her heart began to ease.

"Come inside now," Javier urged gently, guiding them away from the balcony. "We need to get ready. The storm will be here soon."

Harper went inside the house with Liam and her father, but Harper couldn't shake the sense of dread from her body. The howling wind roared through the cracks of their home, and the once comforting walls now trembled with the fury of Hurricane Maria. Harper huddled close to her brothers, all of them shivering not from the cold, but from sheer terror. Javier and Maria moved quickly through the dimly lit room, securing windows and doors as the storm's wrath intensified.

"Kids, stay close together!" Maria shouted over the deafening noise. Her usually calm voice was strained, filled with urgency.

Harper clutched Liam's hand tightly, her eyes wide with fear. "I'm scared, Mamá," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

Maria rushed over to them, her face pale but determined. "We're going to be alright, mi amor," she said, brushing a strand of hair from Harper's face. She reached behind her and pulled out a bundle of fur — a thick pelt, the keepsake from the family's belongings.

"This will keep you safe," Maria said, wrapping the pelt around Harper's small shoulders. The fur was warm and smelled faintly of the forest, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. "No matter what happens, this will protect you."

Harper clung to the pelt, feeling a small measure of comfort. "Thank you, Mamá," she said, her voice trembling. She wrapped it around her shoulders.

A loud crash reverberated through the house, making them all jump. Javier turned towards the sound, his face etched with worry. "The roof won't hold much longer," he said grimly. "We need to get to the cellar, now!"