I began organizing everything in my mind, turning the worry into action. The weight of the looming disaster was heavy, but I knew I couldn't afford to freeze. It was time to move—strategically, swiftly, and without hesitation.
The first thing I did was call Emily.As the phone rang, I took a deep breath, trying to sound composed.
She answered quickly. "Hey, Evelyn. Everything alright?"
"Not exactly," I said, launching into the details James had shared. Her silence on the other end told me she was absorbing every word. Finally, she spoke.
"That's sooner than we expected," she muttered. "Alright. Then I'm not leaving either. I'll stay back with you. We'll finish transporting the supplies together. When it's all moved, we'll leave."
Her loyalty warmed me, and I felt a little less burdened. "Thanks, Emily. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Don't thank me yet," she replied. "We still have a hell of a job ahead."
