Chapter 34 - Luna
We’re unloading the last of Gigi’s things into my house when the ground shifts under our feet. I’ve never been in an earthquake before, it’s not something that happens in the area we live. I scream and drop to the ground as it rocks and rolls under my hands and knees. I stare at Gigi with wild eyes as she clutches the side of the Jeep. Her steady gaze of reassurance backs the beast of terror off and I let myself believe her when she calls out that it’s only temporary. She lived in California for a while with husband number three, so she’s probably been through this before and knows what she’s talking about. But then again, earthquakes are supposed to happen in California, NOT in freaking landlocked Alberta! I’m seconds from rushing into a full-blown panic when the ground settles and things stop moving. My head hangs down and my ponytail slaps across my face as I take deep shuddering breaths and forget the no swearing thing because…what the fuck?
Gigi comes over and pulls me back up onto my feet and shoves another heavy suitcase at me. “Inside, Luna. Take this inside.”
I sway on my feet but do as she says and haul the heavy case in through the garage door. Penny is a quivering, whiny mess and has left a puddle on the floor in her fear. I drop down beside her and pull her into my lap even though she’s too big for that because - same girl, same. I desperately wish for my mom and dad to be here right now so I could curl up on their laps.
Gigi brings in the last of her stuff, patting both of us on the head as she goes by and starts unpacking the food. I kiss Penny between her furry ears and get up to help after I wipe up the puddle of pee on the floor. My feet change direction halfway there as I grab for the remote and turn on the TV to search for the news but all I get is a static filled screen on every channel. I snap it off and go to the kitchen.
“The TV isn’t working,” I tell her in frustration. Her hand freezes as she’s reaching to put a can of coffee in the cupboard.
“Wait, you guys have Starlink satellite, right?” When I nod, she blows out a breath. “Yeah, okay, that makes sense, then. I imagine most of the satellites are either gone or knocked off course. That means you won’t have any internet here either, will you? What about your phone? Can you get internet on it?”
I drag it from my back pocket and swipe it open with a groan. “No Wi-Fi at all and no service for some reason. I go to toss it on the counter when a text notification comes through. I snatch it back to my face and see one measly bar of service has shown up. I’ll take it. The text is from Torrin asking if I’m alright. I breathe a sigh of relief and dial his number. All I get is dead air until a recorded message comes through saying all circuits are busy. I huff out a sigh and text him that I’m home with Gigi and I hope he’s coming home soon. My shoulders slump when the message comes back undeliverable. Even with one bar of service,I can’t get any internet pages to load so I set my phone down gently on the counter so I don’t throw it against the wall like I want to and turn to Gigi.
“Nothing. Nothing is working.”
I look at the clock on the microwave and see it’s only been an hour since this all started. It feels like my heart has been racing for hours now. We need news, we need to know what the hell is happening. There has to be some kind of news by now, some experts giving their opinion, something from the government. With the TV out and my cell phone dead, that leaves… radio!
“Come out to the garage. We can listen to the radio in the Escalade and maybe find out what’s happening.” I tell her as I dig the keys out of the junk drawer. I rarely drive the Escalade so I have to search for them. It was my parents’ car and we only really use it now if we are all going somewhere at the same time.
Gigi follows me out to the garage and hits the automatic opener to open the door a few feet and then fires up a smoke as I turn the SUV on to auxiliary and crank the volume on the radio.
“…the Roche limit so it shouldn’t come any closer. But that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. Not counting the debris that will hit Earth, there’s the tidal issue. We are going to be seeing massive tidal surges on all coastlines as well as tsunamis as the gravitational pull causes earthquakes.”
“Wait, wait, wait! Debris? Like what? Moon missiles are going to hit us?”
“Well, yes. As everyone can see, the moon was cracked by something, so everything that was knocked loose is headed our way. Now, most will burn up on entry but I’m sure there will be some big enough pieces that will make it through and cause damage and fires depending on where they land.”
“Jesus! How can it get any worse?”
“Actually, it’s going to get a lot worse in the days to come. We haven’t even talked about what the gravitational pull will do to volcanoes. They’re going to be popping off like…”
Whoever was speaking is cut off mid-sentence when the emergency broadcast tone goes off. It’s loud and piercing so I dial back the volume until an automated voice comes through the speakers telling us… a whole lot of nothing. It’s the canned “stay in your homes, move away from bodies of water and wait for further instructions” from the government message. Nothing that tells us what…is…happening! But honestly, after hearing what the first guy had to say, I’m not sure I want to know anything more.
My eyes lift to Gigi’s incredibly pale face as I turn the car back off and shut the door.
“Jules and Reid, they’re in Vancouver and their hotel? It’s right on the water. What if…” I can’t bring myself to complete the sentence.
Gigi takes my arm and pulls me back into the house, hitting the garage door button to close it again.
“You can’t think the worst, Luna. I’m sure that whole area is being evacuated. Besides, remember who you’re talking about. Julian Stillwell the third will have bought a helicopter by now to fly them out of any possible danger.” A small whimper leaks from between my lips as she steers me to the couch. “It’s Jules, Luna. He’s way too rich, beautiful, and mean to die. Remember that. Now, I need a minute to think. I’m going to take Penny out in the backyard. When I come back, I’ll have a plan for us, so let out all those big emotions because once we start… there won’t be time for them. Understand?”
I nod a few times, so she drops a kiss on top of my head and calls Penny to the deck door. Once it closes behind them, I let the tears I’ve been holding back flow until a river is pouring down my face. I stopped believing in God when my family died, but forjust this moment, I pray to him and ask him to protect my best friends.
While I wait for Gigi to come back with a plan, I go get my phone and open our group chat. I know the message won’t go through but I type it anyway.
***
Group Chat
Luna: Gigi and I are at the house. I wish you were all here. I wish I could talk to you right now. I’m scared.
***
I text Kara that I hope she’s okay and heading home too. She goes to school in the States and I know that Reid will be worrying about his sister just as much as I am. She was supposed to be back for summer break next week. When no one texts me back, I go back through our past group chat messages and read over them. It’s a small comfort that makes them feel closer than they all are right now.
After half an hour, Gigi comes back smelling like Chanel and cigarette smoke and sits on the couch facing me with a serious look in her eyes.
