helpless (lams oneshots)

carry you through the storm

teen drabble no one asked for, the boys are both on nevis. not modern, yo the flashback is like 1.2k words prepare yourself

"Alexander, you should go home now. The storm's coming soon. Everyone thinks this'll be the big one." Mr. Washington commented, looking out the window. Alexander shook his head, hopping up on Mr. Washington's store counter, "Nuh uh! I'd be all alone at home. It's better to have company and be here with you."

Mr. Washington chuckled, shaking his head, "Business is scarce now, everyone's hunkered down for the storm, Son. I think I'm going to head home. Besides, why don't you go to that Laurens' boy's home? They like you there." Alexander's shoulders tensed, he didn't like it when Mr. Washington caled him son. He shrugged, "I'll leave when you do."

After a while, Mr. Washington stood from his chair, "C'mon Son, I'm packing up shop now. The storm's close. You better hurry home." Alexander hopped off the counter, giving a little hug to Mr. Washington before hurrying outside, shivering from the cold. He hopped over the sandbags Mr. Washington had used to barricade his shop as he made his way uptown where the Laurens' lived.

The thunder boomed in the distance and Alexander let out a small whimper, starting to jog up the sidewalk.

The first few raindrops started to fall and Alex had a sick feeling in his stomach. He broke into a run as the rain started to pour down on him. He gasped as a crack of lightning shone in the sky. He let out a weak cry, seeing no one else out on the streets.

"John!" Alex screamed as he looked back at the beach behind him. The waves had started to crash against the sand. He started to cry, making his way into one of the many empty buildings that littered the slums of Nevis. He ran inside and up the stairs, staring with wide eyes out the window.

He should have ran faster. He should have just gone to his cousin's home. He should have asked Mr. Washington to help him home.

He sobbed as the water rose, tearing through the buildings. He kept hold of the stair railing, screaming as the water reached his neck. He sobbed loudly, "Mama!" He screamed, "John!" He yelled. He could barely hear his own voice. It was drowned out by the rushing water and the screams of everyone in the street.

The water soon came above his mouth, his throat burning as the saltwater poured in his mouth. He tried to swim up, gasping and spluttering for air. His foot got caught in the railing and he tried pulling it loose. It was no use, it wouldn't budge.

The water burned his nostrils as he inhaled it in. He tried his best to swim, but the water wasn't going down and his foot wasn't coming lose. The water rose above his head and he opened his eyes. They burned from the salt but he kept them open, watching everything whiz past him.

He didn't remember shutting his eyes. His last memory was the image of people flying through the water, bubbles escaping their lips.

Alex opened his eyes when he felt his stomach churn. He turned on his side, throwing up the contents of his stomach. It wasn't much, mostly saltwater he had managed to swallow. He gasped and heaved for air as his body jolted and threw up everything in his stomach until they were just dry heaves.

He recognized where he was quickly. His foot was still lodged in the railing. He tried moving it but as soon as he did he felt a jolt of pain. He gasped, collapsing onto his elbows and squeezing his eyes shut.

~

"Alexander! I've found Alexander! Papa, look! He's here!"

Alex lifted his head, but it quickly dropped back down again. He was too weak to keep it up. He heard footsteps rushing toward him. Two heavy sets and one small pitter-patter.