Bright Skies

Chapter 26

"Your moving to Kansas?" I yelped excitedly. "Well, the message clearly says that my parents wanted a change of scenery, but they didn't want to move to a place where they knew no one. So it works, Kansas." Jacob smiled. I hugged him tightly, just as Trey tugged my shirt. I spun around quickly, and smiled at young Trey. "What's up?" I asked, kneeling down. "I'm hungry." He whined. "Have your siblings and Ally had dinner?" I asked. Trey shook his head no.
"Alright, I'll get you something to eat. What do you want?" I asked sweetly. "Peanut butter?" Trey asked kindly. I nodded and messed up his hair, and then sent him off. Once he was gone, I turned to Jacob and kissed his cheek. "Looks like you won't be leaving after all." I said happily, then once again spun around, swaying my hips as I entered the kitchen.
Everyone ate their sandwiches while I looked through Netflix trying to find something the kids wanted to watch for tonight. "Suggestions?" I asked Ally. Ally shrugged. "Anything Disney or kiddish. How to Train Your Dragon 1 or 2 maybe? They'll watch that I would guess." Ally said. I nodded, and found the 2nd one on Netflix. I left it on the 'play movie' screen, then switched it back to regular TV so they could watch Disney Channel until it was time to relax.
"That's one angry storm." Ally remarked, looking up at the black sky. It shouldn't even be this dark yet, it was only 8 o'clock. I cringed as a crackle of thunder boomed. "I'm scared." Whimpered April. I picked up April and hugged her, telling her that everything would be okay. Of course Gray and Ryan didn't care. Both were downstairs in the basement sipping pop and playing video games. At least Jacob wasn't like them, always ignoring any requests to come and help.
We stood in the grass, wind blowing in fast. Lightning ripple through the sky, thunder rumbling in the distance. The deep, dark curves in the sky were revealed every time light sparked in the sky, and we all flinched when a huge crack of thunder bellowed into the not-so-bright sky. "Come on, let's get inside." I said, setting April down and nudging them on their way inside. "No!" Kota snapped. "Kota." I grumbled. "Get inside!" I sneered as another strike bolted across the sky. When Kota didn't move, I swooped him up and rushed inside with him, my eyes wide and frightened as thunder boomed in the tight air.
Ally was hanging out with April and playing barbies while the boys watched Disney Channel and played in a pop-up tent. The dogs were safe inside and all was well, so far. I knew all hell was going to break loose soon, I felt it in my gut. Jacob sat there, eating some mini cakes while I waited for my mom to reply to my message.

Me: it's awfully dark mom.

It took forever for her to finally get back to me, but she soon responded.

Mom: Honey, if you are really scared I can come home. I would never put you in danger sweetie. How is everyone?

Me: good, and no i am fine. everyone's good, im good, im just worried that you and the rest won't make it home.

Mom: Erica, we will make it home. If it gets bad, we will make our best effort to get home fast.

Me: okay :)

Mom: Call me if you need anything. :) Love you!

Me: i love you too!

Even though you could drive your boat to the diner, you could also drive your car, which was good on a bad day like this. I looked over at the dogs, who were resting in the dog room, then outside, where I now saw rain appearing on the sliding glass door. "Perfect, just perfect." I said sarcastically.
I slumped in the couch, my eyes watching the television screen as April and Ally played Just Dance. Jacob was curled up in a bundle of fuzzy blankets, his eyes closed and his body all in one ball. I smiled and squirmed over, resting next to him. I grabbed another blanket off the floor, wrapping it around me tightly before trying to doze off into sleep.
•••
When I woke up, Jacob was gone. I heard a bunch of happy screaming from the dining room, and I peered around the corner into the rustic room. Jacob and all the kids (including Ally) were playing spoons. I smiled brightly, then swung myself over the leather couch and over to the dining room.
"Whatcha doing?" I asked, glancing outside through the window. Trey shushed me, and I chuckled, then walked over to the sliding glass door. The dark night rolled in, it was about 9, almost 10, and it was darker than night itself usually. I sighed tiredly, watching as continuous lightning struck. My dad always warned me, continuous lightning wasn't a good thing.
I turned on the weather channel as I wearily listened to the screaming and laughing leaking from the dining room. I watched as the weatherman informed us on the approaching storm, and what happened to be a
tornado.
Just as I expected. With every arising storm there was always a tornado. I growled madly and stomped into the kitchen, glaring at the outdoors. I did love storms, but was now a good time? No. I was home alone, baby-sitting, with no help except from Jacob. The best he could do was entertain the youngsters, I had to do the dirty work. I guess I didn't mind it, it gave me a taste of how hard life really was. I looked back behind me before rushing out the sliding glass door and looking at the stormy sky.
I heard a howling wind and rain nearly knocked me over, I felt some hail hit my head, and I flinched backwards under the overhang. Suddenly, as another lighting strike erupted from the sky, I saw a massive, black tornado whirling just on the other side of the lake. I shrieked, rushing inside. "Get in the basement now!" I said worriedly. Everyone looked at me in pure horror and scrambled downstairs. I turned off all the lights and grabbed as many candles and flashlights in eyesight. I grabbed the dogs, then nearly tripped racing down the stairs.
We all curled up in a corner as our ears began to pop. The tornado neared us, and I feared for the worst. I felt the warmth of everybody, even Gray and Ryan. The youngest huddled in the middle, then Ally, me, and Jacob, and finally Ryan and Gray. We held onto the collars of the dogs and only hoped that we wouldn't die.