Page 76 of Desperate Creed

Maggie’s cell phone started dinging and both of them jumped at the sound.

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Creed finished updating Krenshaw about his conversation with Maggie. Just as he got to the Jeep, a sheriff’s deputy stopped him.

“We’re moving out,” the deputy said, pointing to the wall of black moving in. “Word is this storm’s already produced two tornadoes. We’ll come back as soon as it moves through.”

“Where should we go?” Jason asked the deputy over the roof of the Jeep. He had the tailgate open and was digging through their supplies.

“Head south. That’s what I’ve been told. This storm’s tracking to the northeast. But there’s a whole line popping up. Do you all have someplace safe to go? Family in the area?”

“Our hotel’s about ten miles south of here.”

The deputy glanced at his watch. “That might be the best place. I’d invite you to come with us, but it’s not going to be any closer or safer than your hotel. I’d get moving right now. Good luck.” He tapped his knuckles on the roof of the Jeep and headed to the next crew to warn them.

Utility and fire and rescue trucks were in line, maneuvering through the crowded street leaving the perimeter. Even the HAZMAT team was packed up.

“I don’t like the idea of leaving Maggie,” Creed told Jason.

“Yeah, I know. But we can’t help her at all if we get hit.”

When Creed still didn’t put the Jeep in gear, Jason continued, “It wouldn’t hurt for us to go back to the hotel. We can refuel. Feed the dogs. Check them over. I pulled some glass from Grace’s paws.”

This got Creed’s attention. “Is she okay?” Why hadn’t he checked her himself? What was wrong with him?

“She’ll be okay. I cleaned it, field-dressed it, but I think she’s done for the day.”

More and more vehicles were leaving. There was a trail of taillights and another of headlights. And the sky was increasingly getting darker.

Creed shifted into gear. The truck that had been parked in front of them had already left. He made a tight U-turn and headed south. Once they were away from the jumble of rescue vehicles and equipment, he glanced in the rearview mirror. Grace’s head was down, but her ears pitched forward and her eyes stayed wide open.

Creed felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. He couldn’t save Maggie and Frankie, and he had neglected Grace.

“You okay, Grace?”

Her eyes moved up to meet his in the mirror. Her ears relaxed but her head stayed down. He felt like he’d been punched in the gut. She wasn’t feeling good. He was in such a hurry, he didn’t notice earlier. He should never have put her in the carrier without checking her paws.

“Did you start her on antibiotics?”

“I was about to, but I figured she needed to take it with food. Right when you got back I was getting ready to pull the packs out.”

They used a dehydrated mix that just needed water added. He contemplated pulling over and taking care of her, but the clouds rolling in swirled above. Behind them he could see lightning fork all the way to the ground. The rumble of thunder grew louder.

“You okay?” Jason asked keeping his voice calm, and Creed realized it was more for the benefit of the dogs than it was for Creed. He appreciated the kid’s steady composure. It still surprised him how much Jason had matured in two short years.

“We get the dogs safe and taken care of, and I’ll be okay.”

Jason sat forward watching the sky.

“Thanks for taking care of Grace,” Creed told him. “I should have checked her before we left the last site.”

“No problem.”

Creed took a side road that looped around the damaged area. Jason pointed out a spot they could get back on the interstate just to the south of where they’d almost gotten sucked up into the earlier storm.

It took hardly any time to get to the hotel. Every vehicle had headlights on and all the buildings around the exit were lit up as if it were evening. Trees blocked the western sky, again. It started raining hard just as Creed pulled into the parking lot. He took note that there wasn’t much wind. But a quick glance up and he saw the dark layers churning.

“Let’s take our gear in,” Creed said. “Take Scout.” He turned and reached in to scratch Grace under the chin. She was up and ready to go. “You wait here, girl. I’ll come back and get you. I want to carry you in.”