The Reluctant Heiress (A Christian Romance Novel)

Part 42 : Tornadoes Within

The lights went out. It was total darkness. It should be, because that's one requirement for a storm shelter, no window. Everything was under the ground.

Suddenly, a cellphone light was seen and footsteps could be heard of maybe two to three persons.

And then a cry, a little boy's cry. It was Fynn, hugging his momma and Luca trying to hush him. And just almost simultaneously, little Amelie started crying too. Darkness could really scare little kids. And big people too.

"I found it!" Raul cried out, turning on the huge flashlight. There were about 4 other lights and so he turned on one and let it stand on top of the dining table with the light shooting up the ceiling. The ceiling reflecting it and creating a soft light for the whole room.

Little Fynn and Amelie hushed when they saw the light. Sighs of relief could be heard too.

Greg turned his cellphone again, wanting to watch the weather video the boys were watching earlier. They needed to see what's happening in the outside world. Was the tornado gone? Can they go out now? But there was no WiFi signal. He tried his data, but it was not picking up any signal as well. "No internet guys."

Raul tried to turn on the transistor radio and looked for a news station. It felt like they were in the 70's when power outages were common and no internet. And all they can do was wait for the news on the radio.

Even if it was a little bit static, they found one. "..:This tornado is continually ripping through Brenton county with a sustained wind of 100mph," says the reporter on the radio. "Damaging many homes, buildings and livestock... "

You could have heard a pin drop after the report was done. Brenton County was where Hotel de Lavi was located. Even if the walls were thick, somehow they could hear vibrations of maybe the actual tornado or the debris cloud hitting them. The tornado could have already ripped off the roof of the hotel or the wall beside the shelter. They would only know when they open the door... later.

With no WiFi to entertain them, or distract them from the seemingly unending waiting, they were faced with the task of dealing with their very own noisy thoughts. A thing they've not done in a while...

Telly just squatted at the corner, eyes closed, burying her face on her hands, with her elbows resting on her legs. 'Lord, I need you. We need you,' was all she could mutter at that moment. Her thoughts were flying from visions of the hotel being torn apart, to her life being torn apart and everything in between. Noisy thoughts that could maybe parallel the noise of the tornado.

Tears started to stream down her cheeks. 'Lord, I am so tired. My heart is so tired. I can't hold this anymore. I surrender all to You. You take the wheel.'

She could hear her deep breath. And then, she felt as if someone was hugging her from behind. A big tight bear hug. It felt so good and comforting, exactly what she needed at that moment. And she knew, it was Abba Father. She let go of more deep sighs, and more tears until there were no more.

Kay reached for her hand and squeezed it, and hugged her from the side. 'I am so glad that I am here for Telly. Am glad I didn't think twice. She was there for me many times. God, if you are real, please show up.'

Telly opened up her eyes and she could see faintly the other people, mostly hugging others. At a time like this, we don't have physical separations. We need the most security we could have by holding on to one another.

She shifted her eye to the other side, and she saw Trudy sitting up straight face to face with Rachelle and holding on to her two hands. They were praying silently. If she's not mistaken, she could even see a glint of smile as she murmurs some words. A picture of peace in the midst of the storm! Only a woman safe in the arms of her Father could have that.