All was Lost

Chapter 4

“RUN!!!” Dad yelped in the vague hope that we could escape the eruption coming from the small shape of Rangitoto behind us. Suddenly a large rock hit the ground centimeters from where my foot was, and I yelped as I splayed small chunks at my legs, leaving bleeding cuts. The rocks where falling everywhere now, and the ash was even stronger that before. In all of the chaos, my tea towel, the only barrier between my mouth and the hot ash fell off and onto the ground. I was beginning to gag, and just as I thought that all was lost, a car that was also trying to escape the violent eruption pulled over.

The doors opened, and a kindly, but rushed voice yelled “Hop in!” Dad seemed to have forgotten the rule, never go in a stranger’s car, and was climbing in as quickly as he could. We all followed, and as the doors slammed shut and we drove off, a huge glowing rock hit the ground where we were just a few seconds earlier.

“That was close” breathed the driver in the front seat, who was and old lady. I felt a pain in my chest, as she reminded me so closely of Gran. “Um… thank you” I stammered, still quite surprised “for saving our lives”. The lady kept her eyes on the road, trying to avoid the falling boulders. “I haven’t saved your life yet, dearie” she said as she dodged a large rock. Mary was staring at her in awe, her eyes as wide as saucers. “If you don’t mind me asking” stammered Dad, quite in awe himself, “who are you?” The old lady chuckled, despite the rocks that were falling around us. “You can call me Debbie” she said happily, as a small rock hit the roof, leaving a dent with a large clang!

I looked a Lily, who had the smallest smile beginning to creep onto her face. She, like me, seemed to suspect that Debbie was a bit loopy, but she was kind enough. Mum, on the other hand, was looking a bit worried, but wouldn’t anyone if there was a volcano erupting? I looked back at Rangitoto, but I could barely see it, it was just a prick in the distance. I tapped Mum on the shoulder then pointed back at the retreating figure of Rangitoto. She looked at it, and then sighed in relief. “Looks like we are almost safe!” she exclaimed. No sooner that she had said that, a rock hit the roof, smashed through, and hit my head.

“Ow!” I screamed. The pain was unbearable! I clutched my hands to my head felt something warm and wet. “No, no, no, no, no” whimpered Mum and she wrapped her arms around me. Dad looked back from the front seat frantically, and gasped when he saw me. Debbie kept her eyes on the road, but through my hastily blurring vision I could see that her face was even more crinkled that usual. The pain was spreading throughout me until my whole body was screaming in agony. I could see that Lily was crying, and Mary was staring at me like I was an alien, unsure of what was happening. I faintly heard her say “booboo” before my vision went black.