Short Little Writings

Tornado Warning

I sat on a wooden rocking chair on the wooden porch. A cold glass of lemonade was in my hand, and the shade of the porch top was keeping me cool. Three little kids, two twin boys and a little girl, were running around in the tall grass.

My dad hasn't got the chance to mow the grass yet, and I would be too scared to try. What if I hurt myself? What if I break the mower?

I don't think Sadie, Charlie, and Cameron care. They can play hide-and-seek in the grass. As I took a sip of my lemonade, I watched the gravel road for signs of a car. The only car that would drive all the way here would belong to my parents.

Out, past the road, I could see outlines of buildings in town. It's nice being out of town because you don't have to worry about people doing things. But the country is plenty scary too.

"Bailey!" a little girl yelled, snapping me out of my trace. Sadie came running from the porch. Despite her being in a light t-shirt and shorts, she was still dripping in sweat. "Bailey, can I have a drink of lemonade please?"

I stood up and fixed my denim shorts. They are too short and ride up, but I stay cooler in them. "Yeah, let's go get a cup, Sadie." Then I yelled out to the twins, "Stay near the house boys! I'm going inside for a bit." They didn't respond but I know they won't walk away.

The house was still just as hot as it is outside. I took the hair tie of my wrist and put my blonde hair into a ponytail. I passed by the hall mirror and grimaced. My face was dark from the hot sun, and freckles were sprinkled all over my face. Sweat beads were formed at my temples.

Anyways, Sadie and I continued to the kitchen. I poured her a glass, and she gulped it down. "Thanks, Bailey!" she chirped and rushed back outside. I smiled and placed the glass in the sink, then followed her back outside.

But when I stepped outside, I was instantly shocked. The once-clear sky had dark clouds appearing in the distance and winds were blowing hard. The long grass was a rippling sea of green. I shuddered. Thunderstorms are one of my biggest fears.

Sadie stayed on the porch, hugging the wooden post. She looked at me with wide eyes, and I knew she was scared too. We both hate thunderstorms. I bent down and gave Sadie a quick hug.

But then a sound echoed through my ears, causing chills to run down my back.

A long blare of a siren blared briefly before fading out. I instantly recognized it as the tornado siren. My blood ran cold, and then my mind went blank. I can't believe that a tornado is coming now, of all days.

My parents are gone, and I'm in charge. How can I be in charge of three little kids when I'm too scared to do anything? Charlie and Cameron ran to the porch, indescribable expressions on their face.

I was surrounded by a five-year-old girl and twin third graders. All of them were expected me to be brave, but I don't have any courage.

My rational brain interrupted my stream of horrified thoughts. "Take them to the basement!" my thoughts yelled and I decided to listen. Sadie grabbed my hands, I headed inside, and the boys followed me.

We headed down to the basement and I flipped the light on. A dim glare filled up the dark room, and my heart thudded. "What if the power goes out?" I left my three siblings down here, and then I walked upstairs.

I searched all over for candles and matches. I found them, then more thoughts filled my mind. "What if we are down there for a long time? What if it gets cold? What if Sadie or the boys get hungry? What if they get bored?"

I felt like my body had been shut down. I was scrambling around the house without thinking about. Panic had set in my body, but I couldn't feel it. It was like my body went into safety mode.

My big backpack was sitting on the floor, so I picked up and began shoving things into it. I had a lot of packaged foods, extra clothes for all four of us, toys and books again for the four of us, and then I grabbed water bottles.

I had to run upstairs to get pillows and blankets, but then I was ready. Everything got carted downstairs and I sighed in relief.

But the relief didn't last long. Winds picked up, and a howling monster filled the house. Sadie started crying and she cuddled up to me. I stroked her hair softly, while my stomach tossed and turned.

Then it was like we were being shot down with machine bullets. Rain started falling and it was deafening when mixed with the rain. Charlie and Cameron joined the small huddle Sadie and I have.

My mind was blank as wind, rain, and crying filled my ears. My hands were trembling, along with my whole body, but I needed to stay composed. My brothers and sister won't want to see me afraid.

I need to stay strong for them!

All the four of us could do was sit on the hard ground and wait. The wind kept getting stronger, creating longer howls. Sadie's cries died down, but she was sobbing silently instead. I held her closer and closed my eyes.

The house started shaking. I could feel it deep in my bones. Charlie, who was on my right side, pressed into my side. His arms wrapped around my waist and squeezed tight.

But suddenly, the rain stopped. The winds got quieter and I opened my eyes. "Is it over?" I untangled myself from the kids. "Stay here, you guys. I'm going to go check to see if everything is okay."

Upstairs, it looked completely normal. The house wasn't ruined. I walked to the front door and gasped. Our front porch was completely empty, and the chairs were no where to be seen. Other than that, and some large sticks scattered, everything else was okay.

I stepped outside, looked over at the outline of a town, and sighed in relief. The clouds were gone. I am alive. Sadie, Cameron, and Charlie are alive.

One loud alarm rang through the air, signaling the end of the nightmare. I rushed downstairs and shared the news. "The tornado is over!" Charlie let out a cheer of excitement. I walked down and Sadie wrapped my legs in a hug.

Her big brown eyes, bloodshot from crying, looked up at me, and she whispered, "Thanks for keeping me safe, Bailey. You were so brave."

I started to protest. I am the farthest from being brave, but then I thought about it. I had thought smart, took care of the kids, and didn't starting crying myself. Maybe I do have more courage then I thought.

The twins ran upstairs and Sadie let go of my legs to follow them. I was left down in the basement with a smile on my face. Then I picked up my backpack and headed upstairs.

"Bailey, come outside!" a little girl voice rang through the house. "Mommy and Daddy are here!" I grinned, dropped my stuff, and dashed outside. I may have been brave, but it sure is nice to have my parents back home to keep us safe.

A/N: new short story posted! Tell us what you think about it so we know what to fix :) But we both really hope that you enjoyed reading it! *Written by Cailin and Carrington*