It felt like the sky had torn open. Torrents of rain poured down without stopping.

Beneath the porch roof, the water dripped in thick, steady linesb, /bcreating ba /bcurtain that blurred everything outside.

The vige didn’t have paved roads, only narrow dirt paths. The ran had turned them into thick, sticky mud. Every step sank deep, and pulling your foot out felt like a full–body workout. Just moving forward was a struggle.

That morning, Manon’s husband had gone to the next town for groceries. By the time he came back, he was soaked through, his bootspletely covered in yellow mud.

He handed Manon a couple of grocery bags filled with fresh ground beef and a rack of pork ribs, set his umbre down and walked over to change out of his muddy shoes.

Manon carried the groceries into the kitchen, then returned to where Charlotte was standing.

“Why don’t you guys stay a few more days?” she said. “It’s really not safe to be out in this weather. The roads are a mess.b” /b

Charlotte stood at the edge of the porch, frowning at the heavy downpour. b“/bI just got a message. My flight’s been canceled because of the storm.”

“This is our rainy season,” Manon said. “Every year around this time, we get storms like this that canst for days.”

Charlotte looked out at the sheets of rain with a worried expression.

Manon gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t stress. Our ce isn’t fancy, but we’ll take good care of you. I’ll go whip up some barbecue ribs and maybe a spicy beef stir–fry bor /bchili. You just rx.”

“Thank you,” Charlotte said with a small smile. “That means a lot?‘

“Of course. You came all this way, and I’ve been worried we wouldn’t be able to give you a proper wee.”

The rain just kepting, harder and louder. Soonb, /bthe local weather service issued a red alert for extreme storms.

It rained nonstop for three full days and nights.

On the third night, thunder cracked across the sky, lightning lit up the windows, and the wind howled like it was trying to tear the house apart. The noise woke Charlotte. She could hear voices downstairs. Something was going on.

She and Petra were staying in a guest room on the second floor. The first floor had the living room, kitchen, and a small utility

room.

Charlotte threw on a jacket and stepped into the hallway. From the top of the stairs, she could hear Manon and her husband talking frantically.

“Hurry, the water’sing in. Stack some more stuff against that wall!”

“Did you cut the main power? We can’t risk getting electrocuted.‘

“Yeah, it’s off. Come help me clear the kitchen floor. Get everything up onto the counters before it gets ruined.”

Charlotte made her way downstairs and saw that the entire first floor was flooded. Manon and her husband were rushing around, trying to move things out of the water’s path.

When Manon spotted her, she paused. “Charlotte, what are you doing down here?”

“Do you need help?” Charlotte asked.

Manon shook her head. “No, no. You should head back upstairs and get some rest. It’s just a little flooding–nothing too serious.b” /b

The power had already been shut off to prevent any electrical idents, so the only light came from shlights. Charlotte stood

halfway down the stairs, watching bthe /bscene unfold in the soft glow of one of the beams.

Manon carried a box through the muddy water, which was already up to her calves.

Charlotte frowned. “Has this happened before?”

“Yeah. About five years ago, we had a simr flood,” Manon said. I really didn’t think it would happen again. I’m bso /bsorry, Charlotte. I never imagined you’d get caught in something like this”

“It’s alright,” Charlotte said, her voice steady. “Let me help.”

Manon handed her the box. “Can you bring this upstairs to the living room?”

“Sure.” Charlotte bent down to take it.

Just as she did, her phone slipped out of her jacket pocket and fell straight into the water with a ssh.

“Oh no!” Manon eximed, quickly crouching down to grab it.

She handed it back, dripping wet. Charlotte pressed the power button. Nothing happened. She tried holding it down longer, but the screen stayed ck.

“Is it still working?” Manon asked, clearly worried.

Charlotte shook her head. “No. It’s dead.”

Manon looked distressed. “What are we going to do? The roads are flooded. Deliveries are shut down. Flights and trains are canceled. We’repletely cut off, and there’s no way to buy a new phone. You won’t be able to reach anyone.”

“It’s okay. I’ll borrow Petra’s phone and make a quick call to let my family know I’m safe.”

Manon let out a breath of relief. “That’s good. I still feel awful. I never expected this to happen.”

“It’s alright,” Charlotte said. “Rescue teams should get here by tomorrow.‘

The next morning, as soon as Petra woke up, Charlotte asked if she could borrow her phone.

Petra reached for it, but when she checked the screen, it only had one percent battery left. “What? I swear I charged itst night,” she said, frowning.

“It’s okay. It still works,” Charlotte said quickly. “I just need to call home.”

“Sure,” Petra said, handing it over.

Charlotte scrolled through the contacts and dialed her dad’s number.

Thankfully, he answered.

“Dad, it’s me, Charlotte. My phone fell in the water and it’spletely dead. I’m using Petra’s phone to let you know I’m alright. Don’t worry.”

“Lottie, you-”

Desmond’s voice cut off mid–sentence.

Charlotte looked at the screen. It had gone ck. The phone had died.

“What happened? I thought it was charging,” Petra said, confused

“It’s the flood,” Charlotte exined. “Water got into the housest night, and Manon shut off the power to avoid any electrical

issues.”

Petra said, “Wellb, /bcan’t we just flip the breaker back on and charge itb?/b”

Charlotte walked over to the window, frowning. The yard was flooded. Fallen branches and debris were scattered everywhere. From the looks of it, the damage was serious. She wasn’t sure if the power lines were even still standing.

Her guess turned out to be right.

Manon soon knocked on the door to let them know the vige’s power lines had been damaged. The entire area was without

electricity.

“Thankfully, we usually cook with firewood,” she said. “Last night I brought some upstairs, so at least we can still make hot meals.”

That morning, she boiled a simple pot of noodles and brought a bowl up to Charlotte.

After eating, Charlotte asked, “Still no sign of the rescue team?”

Manon shook her head and sighed. “There are a few other viges ahead of us on the route. We’re pretty far out here, so I don’t think they’ll reach us until tomorrow.”