Chapter 4: The Wave

There was a pounding on the door. I opened my eyes to see Carmen looking out the peep hole.

"Carmen? When did you get back?" I asked.

"Five or so minutes ago." She said turning to talk to me, "The water was up to my thighs when I got to the lobby."

"Water!" A woman screamed

"Run!" A man screamed.

I got up and looked out the window, there was rain everywhere. I opened the door to the balcony and immediately shut it again. Rain had started threw the door.

I groaned and ran for some towels. When I got back I screamed.

There barreling down fifth avenue was a wall of water. The building started to shake and I watched as people ran into the library across the street and the couple dozen taxi's in the intersection were swallowed by the water.

At first I froze, then I wanted to run. But as the water got more room it went down. It leveled out halfway between the third and fourth floor.

"Oh my god!" Carmen said at my shoulder. I hadn't even known she'd come over here. "Oh, my god." She said surveying the street again.

Suddenly the door opened. A young women carrying a young toddler fell onto the carpet.

"Oh my god!" Carmen cried. She ran to the women.

I was in a complete state of shock.

"Please. Help." The woman said in a week voice while the child cried.

The sound of a child crying brought me back to my senses. I walked over and picked up the child, the little girl, while Carmen helped the women onto a chair.

The little girl in my arm was dressed in a nice blue coat over a pink jacket. Her brown shoulder length hair was in two pony tales.

"Shhhh." I said bouncing and rocking her, "it's ok. Your safe now."

To my surprise she calmed down. She was still crying but it was small sobbs.

"The baby." The woman panted, "She…. Okay?"

"Yes." I said kissing her little head and holding her close, "She'll be fine."

"Are you okay?" Carmen asked.

The woman looked at Carmen and shook her head, "I fell…. And…. Cut myself…. Somewhere…. It's getting…. Hard to…. Breath." She said.

I walked over to her, "Trade me." I said offering the little girl to Carmen.

Carmen took her and let me kneel next to the woman. "Let me take a look." I helped her take off her coat and I knew immediately what was wrong.

The woman had some cuts on her neck and a giant, RED, stain spreading from her chest to her belly.

"My god." Carmen said then turned away.

I nodded, "Let's get you to the bathroom." I said.

"No." The woman said, "You should put me outside."

"I'm dying. I knew it." She said, "You should…. Just take me to the…. Water…. So I won't be a…. dead body around…. The baby…." She tried to stand.

"Let me help you." I said tucking myself under her arm. I helped her to the hall where she collapsed coughing. I tried to help her up and saw she'd coughed blood onto the carpet.

I helped her up and we walked down the hall. "Thank you." She said.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Had to get out to my cab…." She said coughing, "Deep lacerations…. Broken ribs…." She coughed again.

"You broke the window?" I guessed.

She nodded, "Found…. Kid…. Lobby…. Parents gone…." She couldn't even speak in sentences. "Drowned…. Now."

"Don't speak." I said.

We'd made it to room one but she didn't look like she had any more strength.

"Listen." She coughed pointing at room one.

I opened it, Room one was empty except for some clothes and blankets scattered.

I helped her to the bed and she moved the comforter and laid on the sheets.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

What a stupid question. I thought she's dying.

"Ok" she said grabbing my hand. "Kid…. Safe…. You…."

I got that, I nodded, "I'll keep her safe."

"Warm… n-power…. Bedding"

"No power…. Use bedding to stay warm?" I asked.

She nodded and handed me the comforter. "Live…. Kid…." She coughed, "April."

"Her name is April?" I asked. I felt tear welding up in my eyes.

She shook her head and pointing to herself. "April." She coughed, pointing at the wall, "Cadence."

"Her name's Cadence and yours is April?" I asked as tears fell down my cheeks. She wiped them away and pointed at me. I chuckled, "I'm Lillian."

She nodded and closed her eyes. "Thank…. Lillian."

I felt her hand go limp. I bowed my head.

I went into room two and grabbed the top sheet and draped it April. Then went through the room bringing anything warm to our room.

When I entered my room again I saw Carmen, wrapped in a comforter, rocking the little girl and looking outside.

"Carmen?" I said setting the blankets, clothes and comforters on the bed.

"Come look at this." She said softly.

First think I saw was that it was snowing but that wasn't what she was talking about. She pointed then moved so I could see.

There floating down fifth avenue was a big cargo ship. I watched as it floated down and out of sight.

"Well there's something you don't see every day." I muttered standing back and closing the curtains.

Leave me a review.