Ethan
"Ethan, my dear boy. You are so kind to this old lady."
I wiped my hands as I closed the hood of Mrs. Anderson's 1959 Chevy. It is a beast of a car. It had belonged to her husband, and they used to take it to car shows. She's getting up there in age but wanted to get it to one last show. I offered to give it a tune-up and make sure it was running well. Mrs. Anderson is good people, as was her husband. I like to help good people.
"You're very welcome, Mrs. Anderson. I wish I could go with you."
Mrs. Anderson smiled. "My dear boy, you are so precious helping out this old lady. You're like the son I never had."
"Geez, Mom, I am right here."
Just then, Mrs. Anderson's son, Tyler, walked into the open garage. Tyler was in his 40s—goofy and successful, with some sort of IT job. Smart, but not particularly handy. "Hey, Ethan. Good to see you."
"You're too, Tyler."
My phone buzzed. "Sorry, Tyler, Mrs. Anderson, I need to go back. Need to finish packing."
"Be safe, Ethan."
"You too, Mrs. Anderson."
***
I packed the last of the coolers into the bed of my new truck—the one I'd splurged on just last year. It was a beauty—sleek, powerful, and able to handle anything the woods could throw at it. I'd saved up for it, and there was something satisfying about owning a truck that felt as tough and capable as I had become over the past couple of years.
This one was extra special because it had three rows of seats. It was damn near an SUV. But I digress.
Maya and Lily were chatting outside, and I could hear the excitement in their voices, talking about our coming week-long camping trip. It was going to be wet as it's spring on the East Coast, but that was to be expected. We were prepared, and they needed this time away—frankly, so did I. The sound of tires on gravel pulled my attention, and I turned to see Sarah's car—brand new and polished to a shine—with her sitting inside, looking like she'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
"Mom's here," Lily muttered under her breath, a mix of frustration and unease in her tone. Maya just rolled her eyes.
Sarah stepped out of the car, her stilettos crunching on the gravel as she made her way over, eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of my truck, and then me. I saw the flicker of surprise before she masked it with her usual air of superiority. She noticed the changes—how could she not? I'd spent the last couple of years working on myself, not just physically, but in ways she couldn't even begin to comprehend. The last six months in particular had been focused on strength training. It was noticeable now.
"So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" she said, her voice edged with something I couldn't quite place. She scanned me up and down, lingering on the definition in my arms, the way I filled out the flannel shirt I'd thrown on this morning.
"I never said I wanted to talk. I simply told you that we were leaving for the week and wouldn't be back until right before school starts up again."
"So you think you can just leave without consulting me?"
"Actually, yes," I said, narrowing my eyes. "That's what full custody means, Sarah."
Sarah gave me a cross look. "I don't appreciate you throwing that back in my face. You know why that had to happen. James's company—"
I put up a hand. "First of all, I didn't throw anything in your face. I am merely stating fact. Second of all, I don't care, Sarah. I didn't care then why you gave up custody. I don't why you gave up custody now. It's been two years. You know how this works. Now what do you want?"
Sarah of course ignored my words. "So you're going where? The woods again?"
"Yep," I replied, keeping it short.
Maya and Lily quickly joined us, sensing the cold between their mother and me. They positioned themselves close to me, almost like a barrier, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. My girls were loyal, and they saw through Sarah's facade just as clearly as I did.
"Girls," Sarah said, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I just wanted to remind you both to be good for your dad and to let me know if you want me to come and get you."
"Don't worry, we will be," Maya said, her tone resigned.
"And make sure you wear your jackets. It looks like it might rain," Sarah added.
Lily didn't even respond, just gave a stiff nod before turning her back on her mother. Sarah's gaze lingered on me again, her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't say anything more, but the way she looked at me—it was like she was trying to figure out what had changed, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"See you next week," I said, my voice even. She nodded, finally turning away and heading back to her car, her heels clicking sharply as she walked.
As she drove off, Maya looked up at me, a smirk on her face. "She totally noticed, didn't she?"
"Noticed what?" I asked, playing dumb.
"Dad," Lily chimed in, "she couldn't stop staring at you. She knows you've been working out, and it's driving her crazy."
"Maybe," I said, a slight grin tugging at my lips. "But that's her problem, not ours."
We piled into the truck, the mood instantly lifting as we pulled out onto the road, leaving Sarah—and all the baggage that came with her—behind. The girls started joking about how much of a creep Sarah's husband, James, was, and I just let them talk. They were right, of course. James had always rubbed me the wrong way, even before all the affair drama with Sarah. I met him a couple of times before the whole affair thing. It was cliché as they come—the executive assistant and the boss. So unoriginal.
These days, I rarely dwell on it. I had more important things to focus on—like getting us to the campsite and enjoying the week with my girls. The rest, well, that could wait.
"So, what's the plan, Dad?" Maya asked from the back seat, leaning forward between the front seats. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Well," I began, navigating onto the highway that would take us up into the mountains, "we're heading up to our usual spot near the lake. We'll set up camp there, do some fishing, maybe a little hunting. I brought the bows, so we can practice our archery too."
"Yes!" Lily pumped her fist in the air. "I've been practicing my aim, and I'm totally going to outshoot you this time, Maya."
"In your dreams, Lil'," Maya shot back with a grin. "I've been training, too. I'm like Robin Hood up in this bitch."
"Maya Miller!"
"Uh, sorry Dad. Betch."
I chuckled. "Maya, that isn't any better."
I saw Maya shrug in my mirror. "It's totally better."
"Oh," Lily said. "Dad thinks you're dumb."
"Right. Everyone knows I am the smart one."
Lily snorted. "What's that make me?"
"You're the pretty one."
"Oh, I can live with that."
I chimed in at this point. "I am not sure what you two are arguing about. You're both smart. You're both pretty. But let's face it, you're both sucky with a bow."
"Dad!" they said in unison.
One point Dad. Daughter zero points. Not a bad start; we aren't even to the highway yet.
"You are only better than us, Dad, because you totally cheat," Maya said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "What about fishing? Did you bring the rods?"
"Of course," I replied, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "I made sure we've got everything—rods, tackle box, and even the little cooler for the bait. We'll have to catch our own dinner a few nights, so I hope you two are up for the challenge."
"Totally!" Lily exclaimed. "And what about the canoe? Did you bring that, too?"
"I packed the inflatable one," I said. "It's lighter and easier to carry, plus it's perfect for the lake. We'll set it up once we get there, and you two can paddle around while I get the campsite ready."
Maya nodded, clearly impressed. "And what about food? Besides fish, I mean."
I tapped the dashboard, indicating the bed of the truck behind us. "I packed a couple of coolers with some basics—bread, eggs, bacon, and a few other things. But we'll need to be resourceful. There are plenty of wild berries up there this time of year, and I thought we could forage a bit."
"Ooh, wild berry pancakes!" Lily said, practically bouncing in her seat. "I call dibs on picking the berries!"
"And I'll make sure they're not poisonous," Maya added with a smirk, earning a playful shove from her sister.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on you both," I said, smiling at their enthusiasm. "And I brought the camp stove, so we'll have pancakes, bacon, and eggs in the mornings, just like always."
The girls settled back, their excitement palpable as we left Newark behind and began our trek into the Smoky Mountains. After about two hours, we left the highway. The road wound through thick forests, the tall pines towering over us like silent guardians. The air grew cooler as we climbed higher, and the first hints of a storm started to roll in—dark clouds gathering on the horizon.
"We're supposed to be up there for the whole week," I said, glancing at the sky. "So I hope you packed your rain gear. Looks like we might get a little wet."
"Bring it on," Maya said confidently. "We can handle a little rain."
Lily nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it'll just make it more of an adventure."
"That's the spirit," I said, though I kept a wary eye on the clouds. A little rain was one thing, but I didn't want us getting caught in anything too serious. Still, I'd been through worse, and I knew we were well-prepared.
The girls exchanged a look, and then Maya leaned forward again. "Dad, I just remember something of critical life-and-death importance."
I lifted an eyebrow. I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but I didn't want to make light of it if I was wrong.
"What about s'mores? I didn't ever see you make the marshmallows."
"I made plenty of chocolate and marshmallows," I confirmed. "But we'll have to find our own sticks for roasting."
"That's easy," Lily said confidently. "We'll find the perfect ones."
We continued our journey, and the conversation flowed naturally—talking about what we'd do each day, what trails we'd explore, and how they were going to beat me in our archery contests. It felt good being out here with my girls, leaving the worries of the world behind, if only for a while.
Then it started to rain. Hard.
The further we drove into the mountains, the more intense the storm became. The sky had turned an ominous shade of gray—almost black—and the wind roared through the trees, making them bend and creak in protest. I kept my eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter as the rain began to pour down in heavy sheets. The sound of it pounding on the roof of the truck was deafening, drowning out all but the loudest peals of thunder.
The temperature also dropped noticeably. I hoped no one was caught in this storm. Flash floods and cold weather were not a good combination.
"Dad, this storm is getting really bad," Maya said, her voice wavering slightly. She was leaning forward between the front seats, her eyes wide as she watched the rain pelt the windshield.
"I know, sweetheart," I replied, trying to keep my tone calm. "But we're okay. The truck can handle this. We just need to keep moving and find a safe spot to pull over."
Lily, who had been unusually quiet in the back seat, finally spoke up. "What if we can't find a spot? It's getting really hard to see."
She was right. The rain was coming down so hard it felt like driving through a waterfall, and the wind was battering the truck with a force that made it shudder. The wipers were struggling to keep up, barely able to clear the water from the windshield before it was covered again. Visibility was quickly deteriorating, and I could feel the tension in the truck rising.
"Don't worry, Lil'," I said, trying to reassure her even as my own nerves were starting to fray. "We'll find a place. Just hang in there a little longer."
The road ahead was a blur of water and darkness, and I slowed the truck down, squinting through the rain to try and spot anything that looked like a safe place to stop. But the mountains were unforgiving, with steep drops on one side and dense forests on the other, leaving us with few options.
A flash of lightning illuminated the sky, and for a brief moment, I could see the road clearly. That's when I noticed the water—streams of it rushing down the mountainsides, turning the road into a slick, treacherous mess. The truck's tires struggled for traction as we continued forward, and I knew we were in a race against time. If the storm got any worse, we could be in serious trouble.
"Dad, are we going to be okay?" Maya asked again, her voice more urgent this time.
"We're going to be fine," I said, though my mind was already racing with possible scenarios. "But we need to find a place to wait this out."
Just as I said it, another flash of lightning lit up the road ahead, and that's when I saw it—a dark shape lying across the road in a ditch, half-submerged in the rushing water. There were trees and other debris on the road. I slammed on the brakes, the truck skidding slightly on the slick pavement as we came to a stop.
"What is that?" Lily asked, her voice small and frightened.
I peered through the rain, trying to make out what we were seeing. It looked like a vehicle, but it wasn't until the next bolt of lightning illuminated the scene that I realized what it was.
"It's a limo," I muttered, more to myself than to the girls.
The long, sleek vehicle was lying on its side, half-buried in the muddy water of the creek running parallel to the road. The windshield was shattered, and the back end of the limo was crumpled like it had been in a serious accident. The headlights were still on, casting eerie beams of light through the storm, but there was no movement inside.
That wasn't even the biggest problem. The water around it was rising fast. This was not good.
I checked my phone. Of course, there was no service. Not that calling the police or ambulance in this weather was likely to get us anywhere. Damn it.
I put my phone back in my pocket.
Maya and Lily both gasped as they realized what they were looking at.
"Dad, is someone in there?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know," I replied, my heart pounding in my chest. "But we need to find out."
I unbuckled my seatbelt and turned to face the girls. "Stay in the truck. Lock the doors and don't move until I get back, okay?"
"But Dad—" Lily started, her voice full of fear.
"No buts," I said firmly. "I need to check this out, but I'll be right back. Just stay here."
They both nodded, their eyes wide with fear, but they didn't argue. I grabbed my flashlight from the glove compartment and stepped out into the storm, the wind and rain hitting me like a wall as soon as I opened the door. I took a deep breath, bracing myself against the onslaught, and made my way toward the downed limo.
The water from the overflowing creek rushed around my feet, nearly up to my ankles. It shocked me how cold it was. This was not good.
The wind howled through the trees, whipping the branches around like they were made of paper. I kept my head down, pushing against the wind as I approached the limo. My heart was in my throat as I got closer, the reality of what I might find starting to sink in.
When I reached the limo, I shone the flashlight through the shattered windshield, trying to see inside. The interior was dark, the leather seats soaked and torn, and there was no sign of movement. I saw an older gentleman—probably in his late fifties or early sixties. He was bleeding and unconscious. Or he could be dead. I couldn't tell from here.
Man, I hoped he wasn't dead. I'd seen enough of that in the military.
I moved to the side. The vehicle was on an embankment at a pretty steep angle, the back half of it submerged in water. I moved cautiously as the water continued to rise. It was difficult, but I managed to look inside with my light. Most of the windows were cracked, if not broken. That's when I saw them—two women, slumped over in the back seat—one older and one younger. Probably related. But that was a wild ass guess.
I looked them over, searching for obvious wounds or injuries. I made a mental note that they were wearing cocktail dresses that left little to the imagination. Geez, they must be freezing. Or would be if they were awake. I needed to get them out. It was cold enough with the sun down, the wind, and the water that it could be dangerous. I also needed to check on the driver.
I saw the elder woman's eyes flutter, and we made eye contact momentarily. She closed them again, obviously disoriented.
"Shit," I muttered, my stomach twisting. Okay, time to go to work.
I reached through the window, carefully checking for a pulse on the younger woman. I felt a weak but steady beat under my fingers, and relief flooded through me. She was alive and didn't seem to be in immediate danger. They were both hurt, but it didn't appear as though their injuries were too severe, given the circumstances.
"Hey!" I shouted, trying to make my voice heard over the storm. "Can you hear me?"
There was no response, but I could see the younger woman's chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. If they didn't wake up, getting them out while this storm was raging so fiercely was going to be a challenge.
I returned back to the truck, the beam of my flashlight cutting through the rain as I hurried back to Maya and Lily. They were watching me, their faces pale with fear. I could see the questions in their eyes, but there was no time to explain.
I yanked open the door and jumped back inside, slamming it shut against the wind and rain.
"Dad, what's going on?" Maya asked, her voice shaking.
"There's a man—he's the driver—and two women in the limo. They are all alive, I think, but hurt—though how bad is hard to say," I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could. "We need to get them out of there and into the truck. If not, they are all going to drown."
"But the storm—" Lily began, her voice trembling.
"I know, sweetheart," I said, cutting her off gently. "But we don't have a choice. We can't leave them here."
Maya and Lily exchanged a glance, fear etched on their faces, but they nodded. I knew they were scared, but I also knew they understood the urgency of the situation.
"I want you to get blankets, the emergency heating pouches, and water," I said, opening the door again. "I'm going to get them out. We also need to make room for them and lay down a tarp. I might have to patch up the driver."
I climbed into the back of the trailer I was pulling and retrieved some of my rain gear. I was already wet, but it might keep me warm enough that I could get them out without suffering from hypothermia. I didn't know how likely that was; it was spring, after all—but I was already cold, and who knows how long they had been like that? Better not to take chances.
I stepped back out into the storm and made my way back to the limo. The wind whipped around me, making it hard to keep my footing, but I pushed forward, determined to help those people in the limo.
When I reached the limo again, I carefully climbed onto the side of the vehicle, trying to find the best way to get them out and determine if I could move them.
The door was jammed, but the shattered window offered a way in. I climbed inside and tried to push open the door. It wouldn't budge. So I made sure it was unlocked and not latched. I lined myself up with the door and kicked it.
The door groaned and popped open.
First, I checked the driver through the small window of the driver's cab. Luckily, it was open. He was out of it, but his pulse was strong. He was bleeding.
I needed to get the women out first. I didn't know how long this car was going to stay put, and water was filling the damn thing.
Next, I gently tried to pull the younger woman out, careful not to jostle her too much. Up close, she was unexpected in both appearance and weight. Tall, and lean but curvy at the same time. It was strange. Her height made the angle difficult to move her.
With a lot of effort, I managed to lift her out through the door I kicked and carried her back to the truck. The wind was so strong that it nearly knocked me off balance, but I held on, my grip on her tightening as I made my way back.
When I reached the truck, I opened the back door and gently laid her down on the seat. "Maya, keep her neck and head still and try to get her warm. Get the warm packs and blankets," I instructed, my voice firm despite the chaos around us.
I kept my voice calm. Once a Marine always a Marine.
Maya nodded, quickly following my instructions as I turned back to the limo. The older woman was next, and then the driver.
The storm was merciless—the wind howling like a wild beast as I struggled to keep my footing. Rain lashed at me, cold and unyielding, but I couldn't afford to lose focus. I heard the groan of metal, and the movement of the creek seemed to intensify.
From bad to worse, I was starting to the think the god of rain, if one of those existed might now have a bit an of a grudge against these woman.
The limo lay at a high angle, the back half-submerged in water that was rising fast. Time was running out, and I knew I had to move quickly if I was going to get them both to safety.
When I reached the limo again, I carefully climbed onto the side of the vehicle. I stepped cautiously and steadied myself. The older woman was still inside, her eyes half-open.
"Help me."
Her voice sounded hoarse and deathly afraid.
"I've got you. You're safe with me."
I reached in, my hands gripping her firmly. She was lighter than I expected, but like her younger companion, the awkward angle made it difficult to maneuver her out. As I pulled her from the wreckage, the wind seemed to increase in intensity, nearly knocking both of us off our feet. But I held on tight, determined not to let her slip.
I guided her toward the truck, my arm around her to keep her steady. She tried to walk. But after a few paces, I scooped her up in a bridal carry and walked her the rest of the way. Her trembling seemed to intensify, whether from the cold or the shock, I couldn't tell. But I knew she was scared, and I needed to get her to safety as quickly as possible.
When we finally reached the truck, I opened the front door and set her down. The warmth of the interior was a stark contrast to the freezing rain outside, and she collapsed onto the seat, her body shaking from the ordeal. I quickly shut the door behind her, blocking out the storm's fury.
I glanced into the back seat, where the younger woman I had rescued earlier was lying still, covered in blankets, thanks to Maya. My daughter was doing her best to keep her warm, talking softly to her, even though the woman was barely conscious.
I turned back to the older woman, who was still trying to catch her breath. Her eyes met mine, wide with a mixture of fear and relief. Gratitude blossomed in her gaze, but also the lingering confusion. She didn't know who I was or why I had been there, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was safe now.
"You're safe now," I said, my voice firm yet gentle, hoping to reassure her. "We're going to get you both through this."
She nodded, the tension in her body easing slightly, though I could tell she was still in shock. I could only imagine what they had gone through before we found them and I knew we weren't out of the woods yet. The storm was still raging, and we had to get out of here before things got even worse.
It took me another 15 minutes to get the driver out of the car. Eventually, I did. I had to carry him to the truck and place him in the third row of seating. Thank goddess I opted for this special model. I was going to need to thank Dean.
I checked him for bleeding. The cuts were not bad and were already slowing down. I laid him on the tarp and tended to his wounds the best I could in the wild storm. It would have to do.
"Lily. Maya. Cover him, please."
I glanced back at the road, then at the rising water around us. There was no time to lose. I turned my attention to the task at hand, my mind racing with what needed to be done next. These women needed to be somewhere safe, somewhere dry. And I was going to make sure they got there, no matter what.
The best-case scenario was a hospital, but the nearest one was about 150 miles away and over some really treacherous ground. I could come back the way we came towards Newark, but that would probably take several hours, and we could easily get into another accident.
Unsure what to do, I climbed into the driver's seat, starting the engine. The truck roared to life, a comforting sound in the midst of the chaos outside. As I put the vehicle in gear, I felt determination settle into my chest. I wasn't going to let anything happen to them. Not on my watch.
Maybe there was somewhere else we could stop. Give us some direction. I went to grab my phone from my pocket and realized my phone was gone.
Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. The hits keep coming.
Okay. Plan B. We drove slowly at first, carefully navigating the treacherous road ahead. The storm still battered us from all sides. I continued to drive, hoping the answer would manifest itself to me.