The cable networks were clearly struggling to keep up. CNN, FOX, MSNBC, their beleaguered anchors repeatedly trying to stay on top of each unfolding disaster.

Quincy repeatedly flipped between the channels on the large-screen television mounted in the front of the plane.

FOX branded their coverage “Crisis on the Coasts.” Their blond anchorwoman stood in front of a wall of monitors, each highlighting a different disaster. “The Pope is calling for worldwide prayer in the wake of what you’re seeing here—”

Flip.

“Our Mumbai bureau is reporting the president of India is calling for a mass evacuation of the southern tip of the nation in the wake of the wildfires there,” read a CNN anchor. “I’m sorry folks, I know it seems like we’re moving minute by minute to new developments, but that’s how quickly this is unfolding. We have to go now LIVE to Rome where the Pope is prepared to speak to the masses flooding the Vatican—”

Flip.

The MSNBC anchor team sat in front of a panel of gathered journalists. “Kimberly, we’re hearing from the White House the same message, aren’t we? The president is urging calm, repeating what he’s said often in the last twenty-four hours, that the hurricanes have stopped—”

“Except for that freak storm just outside Washington,” the reporter said. “He also points out the violence that has sprung up in other countries has been largely avoided here in the last few weeks here. But he can’t say the same for the wildfires out west or—”

Flip.

“Quincy, can you at least mute it for a minute?” William said, standing up from where the two sat.

“Good idea. I don’t know much more I can watch.”

“I can’t stop thinking about Steven. And my Aunt Kate. Did they make it out of that warehouse before the storm tore it apart? And my grandmother, my aunt Stella, and Roxy … did they get away safely in time from that protest?”

“I wish I had the answers, Will. I can only imagine once that storm was spotted, that building cleared fast. Your aunt is an important person, and Steven is valuable to the SSA, they’ll want to keep them alive. I know the plan was for your grandmother and the rest to bust out once they lit the fire of that protest. They knew they had to get away to avoid being captured again. I know you want to reach out to her to know for sure.”

“I do. But … I have to talk to Jane first.”

“OK. I better make sure there’s going to be a place for us to even land in all that smoke.”

While Quincy went to talk to the pilot, William turned to slowly walk down the aisle.

He could feel Jane’s simmering anger as he approached. She sat in the back, in between Lily and Ryan, her hands moving protectively to land on both their knees.