Chapter 55: Tsunami(2)

Upon seeing the two unconscious kids lying on the tent bed, Aunt Liza didn’t waste a moment asking questions. She quickly assessed their injuries.

"This boy is fine; he’s just unconscious from the shock. He needs proper rest," she said while checking each bruise.

Elena felt a wave of relief when she heard the news. She immediately cleaned Lucy’s injuries, using the well water to stop the bleeding. But when she saw the open wound on Lucy’s stomach, panic surged through her.

"Aunt, look at her stomach and knees; they’re severe. She needs immediate care!"

Aunt Liza quickly examined Lucy, her heart sinking at the sight of the girl’s pale complexion. "Something’s not right," she muttered, urgency filling her voice.

"Call my mother-in-law; I need to operate on her stomach right now. You two will be my assistants!"

Elena immediately located Mrs. Ford, who was tending to the seeds in the Western Fertile soil, and briefed her on the situation.

"Let’s go, Elena," Mrs. Ford said, quickly cleaning herself up.

With a wave of her hand, she teleported Aunt Liza and Mrs. Ford to the portable medical house. Moments later, Aunt Liza began instructing them as they prepared for the operation.

Meanwhile, Grandpa Caldwell was anxious, sensing that someone was seriously injured. Once the team understood the situation, they sought Ethan’s explanation.

Looking at his grandson, who had just returned from outside, he quickly asked, "What’s really going on?"

"A tsunami hit City C, and the disaster is still ongoing outside," Ethan explained, recounting their harrowing journey and how they managed to evade the catastrophe.

Everyone felt the weight of anxiety over the events that had unfolded in just one day.

"Thank goodness you are safe. By the way, who are these kids?" Uncle Anthony inquired.

Ethan didn’t know either, so he replied, "They are my wife’s relatives."

Noticing the haggard boy sleeping, Mr. Ford suggested, "Let’s clean him up. He’s wet and has some bruises. Get me a medicine kit."

After a few discussions, Ethan realized his wife was missing.

"Where is Elena?" he asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"Your wife is currently at the operation table; the girl was severely injured, so they’re operating on her," Grandpa Caldwell informed him.

Knowing that Elena would be busy for a few hours, Ethan suggested the team have dinner early.

"Let’s eat first. I have to go back to assess the situation at the hotel; the water current is getting stronger, and it rose rapidly since the last time I checked."

They quickly set up a table and ate hurriedly, and afterward, everyone left one by one to attend to their own agendas.

Returning to the outside world, Ethan felt the weight of the tense situation. The water had risen to the fourth floor of the building and was still climbing.

Now, standing on the thirteenth floor, he gazed down at the scene below, a sight that was both terrifying and surreal. The once-bustling streets had transformed into chaos, with powerful waves crashing against buildings and sweeping cars away like toys.

Debris floated in the water—pieces of furniture, street signs, and various objects—while people scrambled for higher ground, clinging to anything they could find for safety.

On the other side of the building, many individuals waved their hands from the roof of a nearby structure, which only had a sixth floor.

They were pleading for help.

Ethan’s heart sank as he witnessed a person being washed away by the strong current. The individual desperately tried to stay afloat, but the power of nature rendered their efforts futile.

’How many lives had been lost in this disaster in just one day?’

Ethan couldn’t bear to think about the numbers.

Inside their building, the people felt a mix of fear, disbelief, and helplessness as they watched the chaos unfold below.

"Manager, what are we supposed to do?" a hotel attendant asked, anxiety evident in their voice.

The manager looked at the crowd, uncertainty etched on his face; he replied in a panicked tone, "We will wait for the government announcement. For now, we still have food available, and once the water recedes, we can head to the evacuation center."

An angry man, having lost a relative to the tsunami, shouted, "Wait for them? Do you think they care? Look at the situation below; if they had warned us earlier, we might have been prepared."

In truth, the government had issued warnings, but they were overwhelmed with the aftermath of the earthquake.

Another voice chimed in, "Enough! This is a national disaster, and the government is doing its best. Instead of blaming them, why not support their efforts or volunteer yourself?"

The angry man fell silent, retreating to a corner to cry.

After a tense discussion, the crowd dispersed, returning to their rooms with varied expressions. The water continued to rise, though the waves had eased slightly.

Ethan walked in and approached the manager.

"Is there a room available?" he asked.

The manager, taken aback by the young man’s cold demeanor, replied honestly, "We do have rooms, but the keys are in the lobby, and retrieving them would be difficult."

Then he remembered that some employees had been cleaning earlier. "Wait a minute, I asked some employees if they had already cleaned the upper floor rooms."

Ethan nodded, eager for a solution.

After a few minutes, the manager handed him the keys and instructed him to take a room on the twentieth floor. Ethan thanked him, locked the door behind him, and entered the space to update the others.

*****

News spread quickly about the fate of City C. As other cities learned of the tsunami’s devastation, many immediately dispatched rescuers, emergency supplies, and medical teams to assist in the recovery efforts.

Community organizations mobilized volunteers, while local businesses donated food and resources. The people were still helping each other, unaware that this was just the beginning.

In the military district of City D, General Kaiser finally understood what the military and Heather were constructing. He was in a foul mood, frustrated that the military, meant to protect the people, was instead pursuing its own agenda.

Yes, they had built a massive bunker, but only the families of military higher-ups were allowed inside. They justified it by claiming that since the military served the people, they deserved certain privileges.

General Kaiser lamented to Brother Elias, "Okay, let’s say I accept that reasoning, but why didn’t they inform us about the massive earthquake?"

Brother Elias was deep in thought.

’How did the Heather family know about the earthquake? Did they sacrifice one of their elders?’

"Brother, say something. We should leave this City D military district; it has become Heather’s private army."

Finally, Brother Elias spoke, "I was thinking about the young chief’s wife."

General Kaiser was taken aback. "What do you mean? Do you have feelings for that brat’s wife? That’s wrong, brother."

The abbot glared fiercely at General Kaiser.

"Have you been watching too much drama? Trust me, General, if you say one more foolish word, I will have you thrown into a mental hospital to ponder your stupidity in silence."

The thought of the young chief glaring at him when he tried to probe Elena back in Willow Village sent chills down his spine. He didn’t want to misunderstand, and this General was testing his patience.

’Dear Lord, please help me to be patient and calm. Amen.’

General Kaiser feigned remorse and asked with curiosity, "Okay, okay... my bad. What are you thinking then?"

"What she said came true," the abbot replied.

"About what?"

"The Heather family has really infiltrated the military."

Both men were stunned, each feeling a mix of emotions.

"Let’s leave City D and head to the military district of City A. They are more responsible and open to suggestions," the abbot decided.

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