The storm fiercely continued as Ryan held Gillian, doing his
best to calm her fears. The winds whipped outside and they could
hear hail beating against the cabin. Gradually, they began to notice
a sound off in the distance that seemed to be getting closer and closer.
“What is that?” Gillian asked. “It sounds like a......train.
Why would a train be out in this storm?”
Ryan knew better then Gillian what the sound was. He knew
immediately that what they were hearing was a tornado.
“Everything’s all right, Gillian,” he said.
“Okay. I just wondered why they would be a train. I think
it’s getting closer. God, it’s really loud,” she said covering her ears.
Ryan weighed in his mind whether or not he should tell her
it was a tornado. It was definitely getting closer and he didn’t know
what they we’re going to do if the cabin was in it’s path. He
decided he had to tell her. It might be a matter of life or death - and
they were running out of time.
“Listen, Gillian,” he said, speaking loudly to be heard over
the noise. “What you’re hearing isn’t a train. It’s a tornado. We
have to....We have to get down. Duck down as far as you can into
the corner. Stay close to the floor. I’m going to cover your body
with mine to protect you.”
Gillian hesitated. If a tornado was coming....If this was the
end....There was so much to say.
“Ryan I-”
She was interrupted by the loud smack of a flying tree
hitting the cabin. Gillian had reached her breaking point and began sobbing.
“We’re gonna die, Ryan. We are. We’re gonna die.”
“No, baby. No.”
“I don’t want to die like this!” she cried. “There’s so much
that isn’t, isn’t right.”
Ryan looked at her, tears streaming down her face, and
knew what she was trying to say.
“It’s not fair....Oh please, God. If I could just have a second
chance. I would change -” her voice broke and she closed her eyes.
“I would change so much.”
“Me too,” Ryan said, softly. “You know that I.....Still, I.....”
Somehow that night Gillian’s prayer was answered and the
shabby little cabin withstood the storm. The tornado passed close
by, but ran out of intensity and lifted back up into the clouds.
It took a long time for Ryan to convince Gillian that the
tornado was gone and they were safe. He stayed up with her most
of the night, talking about everything and nothing - just anything to
take her mind off what had happened.
Eventually, they tipped the cot back over and laid down.
And, in the early morning hours just before dawn, they finally fell
asleep in each others arms.
