Ruka honks the horn again, pulling me out of my trance. That always happens when I’m outside. I get caught marveling at the beauty in nature’s web, and I find I never want to leave.
“I’m coming! I’m coming! Jeez.” I jump off the porch, kicking up dust as I run to the passenger side.
“You take forever,” Ruka mumbles. “You could sit on the porch for hours just to watch the day turn to night.”
“That sounds lovely. I think I might do that someday soon.”
“As if you haven’t.” Ruka smirks, pulling out of the red dirt driveway.
“As if it makes you love me less.” I giggle, rolling down the window so I can feel the warm breeze on my face.
My eyes scan the open fields, loving the endless landscapes Oklahoma provides to feed my obsession. Cows and horses graze, unbothered by the storm a few miles out. That tells me the cell is heading in the opposite direction, or the cows would herd together.
The closer we get to the storm, the darker the skies become. The murky clouds become thicker, the thunder louder, and the winds become stronger. The sunset is quickly eaten by the gluttonous monster spreading across the sky.
Ruka whistles. “This is going to be a good one.”
I peek my head out of the window, smiling. “They always are.” My phone dings, and it’s a message in the Dust Bunnies group text. “It’s Millie. She said her, Jessica, and Reina are at the station, and the Trackers are already there.” I groan, slamming the back of my head against my seat.
“I told you we should have left earlier,” Ruka scolds. “I can’t stand those assholes.”
“They like to ride coattails. Let’s be flattered instead of angry.”
“If they try to run me off the road again, I’m going to ram Dust Bunny into them.”
“Ruka, shhh.” I pet the dashboard. “Don’t talk about her like that. She’s too expensive for you to play with.”
Dust Bunny is decked out in weather gadgets, navigation systems, shatterproof glass, special tires, dash cameras, and external cameras. Bright pink steel sheets make the entire SUV, lightning rods, and an anchoring system that lowers us to the ground, then bolts us into the dirt to keep the tornado from lifting us.
Granted, that will only work under certain weather conditions. If the conditions are too bad and we get too close, then we will be victims of a deadly storm.
What’s great about a partnership with a major auto company is that they provided not only this car, but a van with the same equipment. Millie drives the van while Jessica controls the drone, and Reina collects all data.
We’re nearly at ‘the station’ when dozens of cars come into view, parked on the side of the road. Most of the people here are watchers or tourists wanting to see some action. They won’t get too close to a tornado to keep themselves safe.
The closer we get, the more strangers begin to jump and wave with big smiles on their faces. My cheeks heat from the attention. I’m not used to being “semi” famous.
When it comes to weather, the Dust Bunnies have made a name for themselves all over the world.
“I’ll never get used to that.” I point towards the crowd of people following our car.
Every chase, someone wants a picture or even an autograph, which I still can’t wrap my mind around.
“Me either. Out of all the ways to become famous, I didn’t think this would be how it would happen.”
“Aw, did your good looks not get you as far as you thought?” I pretend to pout my bottom lip towards my brother.
“Shut up. I’ll have you know, this face is the face of Dust Bunnies.” He rubs his cheeks, checking himself out in the rearview mirror.
He knows that’s not true. The face of the business is me, and that gives me enough anxiety.
“It’s a face only a mother could love.” I pat his shoulder, swinging the door open to make my escape before he puts me in a headlock.
“You little shit.” He reaches for me just as I slide out of the car, my feet touching the warm ground.
“Hey, hot stuff!” Millie yells from the driver’s side window.
Her cute redheaded bob sways when she waves, a big smile taking over her that causes her cheeks to press against the bottom of her round glasses.
