511 The Flood, Ch. 24



Chapter Twenty-four


There's a crest ahead. It's normally a busy intersection with a stoplight, but I watch in terror as the light pole topples over and a wave of debris begins to descend down the hill from the ocean side.

Princess turns and starts to run toward me, downhill, and I point for her to go up the entrance to another staircase. This one leads to Mount Olympus, one of our favorite walks. She heads for the shortcut.

"Dozer, go." I point 

He runs after his step-sister. I watch as if in a dream as they disappear up the concrete staircase, and then the debris flowing downhill covers the first step. I'm trapped between the two flows. I look to my right and left. A lateral escape is best.


There's an open door into a condo building. I take the stairs two at a time. Now the water is inside the lobby. It's climbing the stairs after me. I try a door on the top floor. It's locked. I try my key. It opens. 

Slamming the door behind me I look out the view windows of this fabulous condo and see a rooftop float by. Then the deck is swept away. Water is again at my ankles. I run for the windows, then run for the bedroom as as a car lodges itself in the living room. 

Looking out now I can see water between the floating debris. And amazingly, a yellow dinghy, floating bottom up. My dinghy.











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