Internally, Sam breathed a sigh of relief. Told you there was no reason to worry. He’s one of the few very, very good ones. “That’s okay, Ben. I understand. I figured it was something like that. But what’s going on?” She already had a hoodie and yoga pants on and was moving toward the door, the radio in her hand and the iPhone with no service in her hoodie.

“There’s been a train accident of some kind, and the cars are leaking some kind of chemical, and they’re worried about the wind pushing the fumes our way. You need to get out. We all do. We’re in the car, at the circle,” he finished, referring to their Cadillac SUV as a “car” the way most Americans still did.

As if on cue, a gust of wind rattled her window, the sound sending shivers up her spine. Sam enjoyed the cool fall air, and she’d left open the window that faced the front yard to enjoy the breeze while she slept. She felt the air pour into the room and ignored it. Time to leave. Sam rushed down the main stairs, flipping on lights as she went. Have to remain calm. Keys, purse, and a bottle of water. Go. Everything else could wait here. “I’m leaving now. Where are they taking us?” Her parents weren’t going to believe this when they found out about it. She reconsidered her choice and wondered if the mountains might’ve been the smarter option. Live and learn, Sam. Live and learn.

“Falling Rock Elementary. They’ve set up some kind of shelter. I’ve even got Percy with me.” A loud whoof echoed from the background.

“Okay. I’m walking out the door right . . . now,” Sam said, and turned the knob on the front door. She stepped into the cool, crisp night and pulled the door closed behind her. A large gust of wind hit her, shoving her silently backward, as if urging her to seek refuge inside. “I’ll see you—”

A loud crack erupted from the woods to her left, followed almost immediately by a much louder boom from the traffic circle. Gunshot, her mind recognized even before she processed it. She heard it both outside and from the radio, as if in stereo, and she froze.

“Ben? Ben! What’s happening?”

Then the screams began, jolting Sam from her sudden terror, and she turned back toward her front door.

“Sam! Get back inside! They’re not cops!” Ben pleaded.

Already on it, Ben.

“Get help!” Ben yelled through the radio, as louder voices sounded in the background. “Be careful!”

She thought she heard a man yelling at him, and a wave of panic hit her. “Are you okay? Oh my God, Ben. Please tell me you’re okay!”

“I have to help him. I love you, Sam,” Ben said, and the radio went dead.