Blackout • NH

Chapter 45

Niall's POV

I wake up to the tower creaking and making noise. I get up from the chair and look out of the window when I nearly fall backwards from a bright light shining directly into my eyes. I crawl to the window and look at the source of the light.

It's the survivor from the treehouse. Why would they be trying to talk it during the day? Usually the sun is out. Wait.

I look behind the treehouse to see a massive storm. Oh fuck. They are trying to warn me.

"Everybody get up now!" I shout.

Everyone jolts awake and rubs their eyes, yawning.

"What is it Niall? Let us sleep." Louis says, tiredly.

"We have danger on the horizon! Literally! Look outside!"

They all get up and look outside.

"Oh fuck!" Liam said.

I run outside with my geode and binoculars still in hand from last night and shine the stone back. It's too bright, it can't be seen. I get an idea.

"Guys help me communicate back to the survivor in the treehouse. They're the ones who've warned me! I need to make sure they get my signal! Grab your flashlights and shine them onto the crystals!"

Harry and Liam hold 7 flashlights to the geode. I put the binoculars to my eyes and direct the light towards the survivor or two survivors?

I shake my head and signal that I see their message. They shine the device back letting me know that they saw it.

The boys and I run inside and start scrambling to find anything we can to prop against the windows. I know this fire tower was built to withstand storms so let's just hope that even with its abandoned structure, it will still hold up.

Liam and Louis run outside and down the stairs, bringing the horses far up the steps as they could and tying them to the railing.

Everyone, including Marion, are on their feet grabbing anything and everyone they can to block the windows. This tower is a bit small so we do the best we can.

There's a few cracks and open places here but it's secure as it's going to get.

I put my binoculars up to my face and put them through the small opening where it wasn't fully blocked off. I see a huge wall of a cloud. Thunder and lighting off shore. The waves look rough and the trees are bent in half.

I pull back in shock.

"Fuck! Guys there's a big ass storm out there. I've never seen anything like it!" I shout.

"It's a severe hurricane." Marion speaks up.

"A hurricane?" Liam shouts.

"Yes! They form off shore in warm waters. Especially in the Gulf coast!" She replies.

"They're deadlier than a tornado!"

"Holy shit." Harry replies. His eyes wide.

"Niall." Marion looks to me.

"I know you and the boys have never experienced this in your life. But I hope you all know how to swim." She said.

Nobody says a thing when suddenly a loud boom of thunder shakes the tower.

"I hope so too." I reply back.

We all grab eachother and huddle up in a corner, hugging. Refusing to let each other go.

Jodie's POV

"I hope those survivors will be okay Anne." I say, holding her hand.

"They will Jodie. I just know it." She replies.

"The tower didn't look sturdy. There's no way it will stay standing." I say, tears in my eyes.

"It will Jodie. I just know it." Anne says, sounding very sure and positive about it.

I look at the ground and out towards the window and whisper.

"Keep them safe."

I don't know who I was talking to but I'm sure someone had heard me.

Anne grabs my hand and rubs it to comfort me.

The wind is picking up more and more and the tree house is moving under the branches below. I squeeze her hand, nervous about this storm. We've never had anything like this in California.

"Anne, this is odd for me to say, but I'm scared." I say.

"I'm scared too Jodie. We will make it out of this." She said encouragingly.

The tree house started shaking more. I get up and back up to the wall.

"Anne, let's get in the bathroom. There's no windows in there and it is safer." I say.

She agrees and we grab our bags and a few pillows couch pillows laying on the floor and we make our way to the bathroom and crawl into the old tub. Using the pillows for comfort. She pulls out a flashlight for light and lays it on the edge. We sit in silence and not say a word to each other.

She lays her head against the wall and closes her eyes. Not to fall asleep but in hopes that this will blow over fast.

I pull out Niall's geode from my pocket and hold it close to my heart. Rubbing my belly with my free hand. Hoping that me, the baby and Anne make it out safe. Hoping that wherever Niall and the group is right now. That they aren't in this storm. If they are, I hope they all stay safe.

I couldn't imagine what it would be like without them. Niall, Liam, Ellen, Harry, Louis, Marion and Aiden. I miss them so much.

I hold the geode closer to my heart and close my eyes. Waiting for this to be over.