Solar Fury

by E A Chance

  Julia coughed from the toxic smoke, and Riley pushed her toward the doors. “Get inside, now,” she ordered through her own choking coughs.

  Julia obeyed without argument. Riley closed the French doors, checking to make sure they were tight and ran to dig the evac bag out of her closet. She carried it to the sitting room and rummaged through it until she found duct tape.

  Julia watched her with eyes as wide as saucers. “Is this the CME, Mom? Why is it here so early? They said it would just be a minor power outage, but it looks like the world blew up.”

  In trying to quell her own panic, she’d forgotten how terrified her daughter must be. She put the tape down and went to Julia.

  Wrapping her in a protective hug, she said, “I wish I could tell you. Coop went to find out. He’ll come tell us when he knows anything.”

  Julia stepped out of Riley’s arms and gave her a weak smile. “I’m glad he’s here with us, Mom.”

  “Me, too, sweetheart.” Riley handed her a roll of tape. “We need to tape the windows to keep out the smoke.”

  Julia took the tape, and Riley showed her how to seal the doors. As she worked, she thought how ridiculous she’d felt packing that evac bag but had done it in memory of Zach. Carrying on his routine of preparing for any emergency made her feel closer to him. In light of the nightmare happening outside their walls, he may have inadvertently saved their lives. She wished she’d prepared better for the solar storm. How could the scientists have gotten it so wrong?

  Someone pounded on their door just as she tossed the empty tape roll into the garbage. Julia ran to answer it, but Riley called out for her to stop. “Let me get it.”

  She stood on tiptoes to peer through the peephole and was relieved to see Coop standing in the hallway. She opened the door and hurried to keep up with him as he rushed into the room.

  “Bolt and chain that door,” he said, without turning to face her. He went to the balcony doors and examined her taping job, then nodded in satisfaction. “Smart to do that. Where’d you get duct tape?”

  Riley ignored his question. “What did you find out?”

  He glanced at Julia before turning to stare through the taped doors. “My guess is the astronomers are as good at predicting space storms as meteorologists are at predicting hurricanes. No one has a clue what’s happening. Internet’s down, cell service is down, we only have power because of the hotel generators.”

  Julia took out her cellphone and tapped Riley’s contact picture. Nothing happened. Riley reached for the hotel phone but got no dial tone. A muffled explosion made the floors vibrate. Julia ran into her arms as the emergency lighting flickered for a moment.

  “Are you sure we’re safe here, Coop?” she asked over the top of Julia’s head.

  He turned toward them, the concern evident on his usually lighthearted face. “I won’t sugarcoat this. Power won’t be coming on in a few days. Those fires are from blown transformers, electrical surges, and natural gas explosions. People will get desperate in a hurry. We’re safer inside the hotel for now.”

  Julia sat up and shook her head. “We need to leave like Mom wanted to do. I want to go home.”

  Riley held her hand. “Coop’s right. Even with the fires, it’s freezing and people are panicking. Those streets in front of the hotel are impassable. The rest of the roads are probably the same. We have heat, food and a roof in the hotel. We’ll wait here until it’s safe to go home.”

  Coop nodded. “I’d estimate that about half the hotel staff has bailed already. We need to stay. We’re doctors. They’re going to need us. While we wait, we should round up all the food, water, and emergency supplies we can get our hands on before shelves are picked clean. I’m sure the looting has already started. There won’t be anything left by morning.”

  Julia went to the faucet by the minibar and turned the handle. A weak but steady stream poured into the sink. “Water’s still working, and we have the bottled water you brought earlier, so we don’t need that.”

  “It’s still pumping in the hotel, but the treatment plant might be down, which means the water is contaminated. It’s fine for flushing toilets and showers, but don’t drink from the tap. Those four flats of bottled water won’t last long. You’ll need at least six or seven more to start,” Coop said.

  Riley picked up the evac bag and held it out to Coop. “This is what Zach would have called a Go Bag. He was kind of a prepper and taught me never to travel without one. I have water purification tablets, basic first aid supplies, high-calorie protein bars, and walkies, among other things.”

  Coop rummaged through the bag, then put his hands on Riley’s cheeks and kissed her. The blood rushed to her face as Julia giggled.

  “You never cease to amaze. Wish we had ten more of these. I need to get back downstairs, but I’ll come back as soon as I speak with the manager. Add the contents of the minibar to your Go Bag. I don’t think you need to worry about being charged for them now.”

  Riley walked him to the door. “I need to thank you for stopping me from running off this morning. Julia and I would be stranded on some unfamiliar road in this madness or worse. We owe you our lives.”

  When she kissed his cheek, he gave a slight bow and left without a word. She bolted the door behind him and leaned against it with her arms folded. Julia grinned at her. The world was crashing down thirty feet beyond their door, but her daughter still found reason to smile.

  “Go ahead, say it.”

  “You like him,” she said in a sing-song voice, then took Riley’s hand and led her to the sofa. “I’m glad. You’re calmer around Coop, and I’m not as afraid with him here.”

  “Glad you approve, but it was just a little kiss. Don’t make more out of it than it was.” She kissed Julia’s forehead. “Things could get rough in the next few days, and I’m glad Coop’s here, too, but I’m even happier you’re with me. I’ll do whatever it takes to get us home. You have my word. I miss Emily and Jared, and your grandparents.” She sat back and stared at the fire-lit world. “I wish we could get word to them that we’re safe. I hate to think of them worrying about us.”

  “I miss them, too, and I trust you to get us home, Mom. You’re tougher than you know.”

  She remembered her mother saying the same thing before they left for the airport. Everyone else saw a strength in her that she didn’t feel. If it existed, she needed to figure out how to tap into it before they were forced out into their frightening new world.

  Four days earlier, the scariest thing in her life was the idea of boarding a plane. Now, she would have given anything to fly away from the terror raging outside.

  Her stomach growled, so she got up and raided the minibar. She handed Julia a candy bar and kept the can of macadamia nuts for herself. She ignored the muffled sounds of mayhem drifting up from the street below as they ate. The saying about “fiddling while Rome burns” came into her mind.

  “Might as well enjoy the moment while we can,” she said. Julia smiled and gave her a fist bump. This may be our last chance.

  Riley was trying not to notice that it was eleven o'clock and Coop hadn’t returned. Julia had dozed off thirty minutes earlier while watching one of the videos she’d managed to download before the Wi-Fi crashed. Riley helped her to bed, then sat in her room, struggling to organize the thoughts swirling through her brain. Leaving the hotel was out of the question, but how long could they hole up before the food and water ran out? How would they ever make it to Colorado if the entire country was in the same state as D.C.? Their only hope of reaching home was if the CME was localized to the east coast.

  Fixating over a future she couldn’t control was only making her feel worse, so she climbed off the bed and sat on the floor to do yoga and meditate. She’d spent the years since Zach’s death training herself to live in the moment, but since the CME announcement, all she’d done was obsess about what was coming. Preparing for the disaster had been crucial, but her focus was on getting home, which could take weeks. For her and Julia�
�s sake, she needed to let go and concern herself with surviving the next twenty-four hours.

  She got into position and closed her eyes. As she slowly let out her breath, another more violent muffled explosion rumbled beneath her. The lamp wobbled and her toiletries clattered on the bathroom counter. When the power cut out, she scrapped the yoga and ran toward Julia’s room. Before she reached her door, the lights kicked on, and the rumbling stopped. She fell onto the sofa, crossed her arms over her face and let the tears come. This is one nightmare that wouldn’t be conquered with yoga.

  Pounding on the door minutes later startled her out of her pity party. She wiped her face and shuffled to the door, dreading this next catastrophe. A bloodstained Coop waited in the hallway and rushed past her as soon as the door opened.

  Riley followed him into the living room, frantically peppering him with questions. “Is that your blood? What are your injuries?”

  He turned and ran his fingers through his hair. “Not my blood. Elevator’s out. Wake Julia. I’m moving you into my first-floor suite.”

  “Hold on. Don’t I get a say? I don’t want to give Julia the wrong idea about us. We’ll use the stairs.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders. “Listen to me. It’s mayhem down there. I was in the elevator when the power cut out for a second. Scared the hell out of me. You can’t be running up and down ten flights of stairs multiple times a day. What if the hotel catches fire? Have you looked outside?”

  It was all she needed to hear. She rushed to Julia’s room and flipped on the light. Julia groaned and pulled the blanket over her face. “What the hell, Mom?”

  “Language. And how are you sleeping with the world exploding thirty feet from your bed?” Riley saw Julia’s shoulders shrug under the blanket. “Get up and start packing. We’re moving in with Coop on the first floor.”

  Julia sat up and rubbed her eyes. “What?”

  Coop stepped into the doorway. “Hey, wake up, Champ. We need to move you and your mom downstairs before the power goes out for good.”

  Julia squinted at him. “Did you just call me Champ? And why is there blood on your shirt?”

  Coop looked down at his bloody clothes and whispered, “I should have changed first.” Louder to Julia, he said, “I need a nickname for you.”

  Riley pushed Coop away from the door. “You barged in here like our room was on fire. Now, you’re chatting about nicknames? Get up and get dressed, sweetheart,” she called to Julia over her shoulder.

  “Just trying not to scare her,” he said, as he backed into the living room. “I have two luggage carts in the hallway. I’ll pack the kitchen and living room. You get your bedroom.”

  It took three harrowing elevator trips and running the gauntlet in the lobby to move their belongings into Coop’s suite. Once they finished, Riley was relieved that she wouldn’t have to step in those death traps as long as they were in the hotel.

  Coop’s suite was impressive. It was twice the size of hers and the décor even more upscale.

  As Coop led her to what would be her room, she said, “This is more apartment than hotel suite. How many bedrooms?”

  “Three. I have a master suite with its own bathroom. The two smaller bedrooms share the other bathroom, so there’s plenty of room for all of us. It even has a patio.”

  She dropped the armful of bedding she’d taken from her suite onto her bed and turned to face him. “I’m sorry for arguing when you suggested we move in with you. It was a knee-jerk reaction from only knowing you a few days, but I guess the old rules no longer apply. You were right. I appreciate you taking us in.”

  He’d showered and smelled like lemons, so she didn’t mind when he pulled her into his arms. “I hated the idea of you and Julia trapped up there if the worst happened, and if I’m honest, I wanted you closer.” He brushed a curl hair from her forehead and gave her a tender kiss. “But don’t worry, I’ll respect your boundaries and follow your lead.”

  “I appreciate that, too.” She stepped out of his arms and leaned against the dresser. “What I need now is sleep, but first, you want to explain that bloody shirt from earlier?”

  “When I saw the injured people stumbling in or being carried from the street, I grabbed any doctors I could find and set up a basic triage center in the ballroom. Patients have been streaming in nonstop. Some paramedics got word of the clinic and started bringing more patients. They located nurses to help us patch up the injured enough to transport them to any area hospitals still operating. It’s only emergency field treatment, but it’s better than nothing. Will you join us in the morning? It will mean leaving Julia on her own.”

  “I’d be willing if she’s comfortable with it. I’ll just be down the hall, and we have the walkies. I’ll talk to her in the morning.”

  He kissed her again before heading for the front door. “I’m going to check on the clinic, then try to catch some sleep myself. See you bright and early.”

  Chapter Five

  It took a few seconds to figure out what had happened to her hotel room when Julia opened her eyes. When she saw her mom sitting on the edge of the bed watching her, memories of their crazy midnight move to Coop’s suite came rushing back.

  “What time is it?” she asked in a hoarse whisper.

  “Earlier than I want to be awake. It’s six. I’m sorry to wake you, but we need to talk.”

  “If it’s about you and Coop, I’m cool with it, Mom.”

  “Good to know, but it’s not that. Coop and some of the other doctors have set up a clinic in the ballroom. They need me to help treat patients.” She handed her one of the walkies. “I’ll be close, and we’ll try to communicate with these. If the walkies don’t work. I’ll check on you as often as I can.” She hesitated before saying, “If you’re uncomfortable with this and don’t want me to go, I won’t. It’s your choice.”

  Julie toyed with the walkie. “Go, Mom. I’ll be bored out of my mind, but I’m not scared. I’ll find you if the walkies don’t work or if there’s an emergency.”

  “No, you won’t. You can’t leave this room unless it catches on fire, and then I want you to go to the patio.”

  “There’s a patio? Nice. The walkies will work. The room won’t catch on fire. You can chill, Mom.”

  “I’ll do my best. Thank you for being so brave.” Her mom kissed her forehead. “Turn your walkie to channel three. I’ll call you on it when I get to the ballroom. If you don’t answer, I’ll be back in two minutes. Then you can go back to sleep for as long as you want. There’s food for breakfast on the table.”

  Riley’s gut churned as she closed the door and headed for the ballroom. Leaving Julia alone was the last thing she wanted to do, but people could die if she didn’t help in the clinic. It would have been selfish of her to stay in the room holding Julia’s hand all day.

  The lobby was deserted. It was eerie after the pandemonium of the previous night, but Riley preferred it. It meant the clinic might not be so chaotic. She stopped before entering the ballroom to call Julia.

  She pushed the talk button and said, “Julia, it’s Mom. Can you hear me?”

  There was a moment of silence before Julia’s voice came through clearly. “This is Warrior Princess responding. You’re coming through five-by-five, Red Queen. Are you reading me?”

  Riley snickered despite her nerves. “Check. Lima/Charlie, Warrior Princess. See you in ninety. Love you. Red Queen out.”

  “Warrior Princess out.”

  She hooked the walkie to her belt loop and stepped into the ballroom. Her smile faded at the scene that greeted her. It was like something out of a World War I film. Mangled and bleeding bodies covered tables and every inch of floor space. She ducked to miss a paramedic who rushed past carrying the limp body of a woman over his shoulder. All they needed was muddy foxholes to complete the picture.

  She tried to take a step forward but her feet wouldn’t budge. She tried again but could only stand in the chaos, frozen in fear. Someone tapped her shoulder and she
flinched.

  “Take a breath, Riley,” she heard the soothing voice of a doctor named Nabhitha say. They’d met the first day of the conference and had taken an instant liking to each other. “You can do this. It’s is just a bit more disorganized than your operating theater back home.”

  Riley turned and hugged her. “No, it’s impossibly more disorganized than my operating theater back home, but thank you. I’m glad you stayed. It’s comforting to see a familiar face.”

  “Of course, I stayed. Where would I go?” After unwinding herself from Riley’s arms, she placed a hand in the small of her back and gently nudged her toward Coop. “Time to go, doctor. You have work to do.”

  Riley took a breath and crossed to where Coop was treating a middle-aged man with a gaping abdominal wound.

  While pulling on surgical gloves, he said, “Glad to see you made it, Riley. I was beginning to worry you’d bailed on me. Nabhitha, there’s a clipboard by the door with a list of doctors who might still be in the hotel. Would you mind hunting them down? Bring anyone willing. Their room numbers are on the list.”

  Nabhitha pressed her palms together and gave a slight bow, then rushed off to retrieve the list. Riley scanned the room, picturing herself prepping for surgery in her OR back home. She was a skilled surgeon, capable of operating in any situation. She blocked out the background noise and focused on the task at hand.

  Coop glanced between Riley and his patient. “Looking a little pale, Dr. Poole. You up to this?”

  She squared her shoulders and nodded. “Put me to work, boss.”

  He gave a half-grin and went back to work on his patient. “Scrub up in the ballroom kitchen through that door to the left.”

  Riley followed his gaze and saw a doctor she’d met the day before coming out with a sterile cloth draped over her hands. She was an allergist, and Riley wondered how much help she’d be as a surgeon.

  “Nurses are running triage in the south corner under the window,” Coop continued. “They’ll point you in the right direction. And please ask them not to admit any more patients. I hate to turn people away, but they’re going to have to find somewhere else to go until we get ahead of this.”