Firestorm

SARAH DAVIES

in

Firestorm

By RONNIE DAUBER

Copyright © 2018 Ronnie Dauber

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used by any means, graphic, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and book reviews.

Printed in the United States of America 2017

Author Credits:

Author of:

Mudslide (Sarah Davies series #1 Revised)—2017

From Slave to Hero (Crown Series #2)—2017

No Compromise (Revised)—2017

A Christmas King—2016

From Cradle to King (Crown Series #1)—2016

God's Calling…It's for You—2016

Let Faith Arise (revised edition)—2016

No Compromise (First Edition)—2015

Whiteout (Sarah Davies series #3)—2012

Raging Waters (Sarah Davies series #4)—2012

Let Faith Arise (first edition)—2012

Mudslide (Sarah Davies series #1 first edition)—2011

Firestorm (Sarah Davies series #2)—2011

Web Secrets—2011

Books may be ordered through Amazon stores or by contacting:

Smashwords at smashwords.com

Or

Ronnie Dauber’s website http://www.ronniedauber.ca

ISBN-978-1542799430

Acknowledgments

I'd like to again thank my children for the many exciting and even nail-biting journeys you felt I needed over the years; the good ones, the bad ones and the ones that only a mother could overcome. Your combined adventures are the inspirations that have made this second book in the series possible.

Dedication

To all my children and grandchildren: may the Lord watch over all of you as you enjoy each day of your lives.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Table of Contents

Prologue

Above Suspicion

Lost

The Cave

Stubborn

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Missing

Bombs Away

The Zephyr

Blood Trail

Swing of Fear

Glowing Pains

Shooting Ambers

The Race Against Time

Decisions

Premonitions

Déjà vu

A Step in Time

The Sound of Panic

When Dreams Come True

Great Balls of Fire

Final Destination

Prologue

As I sit here in the comfy window box in my bedroom, the cuts and bruises on my arms and legs remind me just how close we came to death's door. And they also remind me that God is watching over me and that He protects me even when I forget He's there.

What was supposed to be a fun annual summer visit to our grandparents for Meagan and me turned out to be the most terrifying experience of our lifetime. It beats anything we've ever gone through before, and without God helping us, I know we wouldn't have made it out alive.

I thought our experience with the mudslide was a nightmare, but it doesn't come close to the horror that we lived through last week. It's going to take a while for me to entirely digest all that happened. And I'm not sure if I'll ever get some of it out of my thoughts. Since I've been home, every time I try to sleep, it all comes back like a recurring horror movie and the fear of it makes me shiver all over again, almost as much as it did last week when I was in it.

Sometimes I get dreams about things that will happen, and while it's easy to say that they're warnings for me to not go somewhere or not to do something, I have to wonder what would happen if I hadn't been there and done that. It seems that even though I get these premonitions, it's because Meagan and I are there that the victims of whatever folly awaits in the darkness are spared because we were there.

I had a dream and hot tears slowly trickled down my face as I tried to hide from an unknown predator that had me trapped in a panic of fear. I punched at the blanket of heaviness that hovered over me and kicked at the hidden substance that threatened to paralyze my legs. I heard Meagan call my name and then suddenly something grabbed my arm and shook me forcefully. I screamed and jerked forward as her voice penetrated my ears.

She pulled the covers back and told me I was dreaming. I sat up and told her about it, and we both thought that maybe this was just one of those dreams that comes from eating too much rich food or from being too excited about our vacation.

But we were wrong!

This was the type of dream that was a warning of dangers ahead. And even though it scared the life out of me when I was dreaming it, it was only a glimpse of what was really waiting for us.

Chapter 1

Above Suspicion

Hot tears slowly trickled down my face as I tried to hide from an unknown predator that had me trapped in a panic of fear. I punched at the blanket of heaviness that hovered over me and kicked at the hidden substance that threatened to paralyze my legs. I heard Meagan call my name and then suddenly something grabbed my arm and shook me forcefully. I screamed and jerked forward as her voice penetrated my ears.

Sarah? Sarah, wake up. You’re dreaming.

I opened my eyes and stared into the worried face of my cousin as she continued to ask me if I was all right. The room was darkened by heavy pink drapes that covered the large bedroom window and allowed only select waves of morning air to filter through. Meagan rubbed my arm gently and pulled away the long brown strands of hair that were wrapped around my face.

Yeah, I was dreaming that something was chasing me and it was smothering me. There was a voice telling me how to escape, but I couldn’t understand it. Really scary!

Well, what was chasing you?

I don’t know and now I can’t remember much except that it was smothering me. Thanks for waking me up and getting me away from it.

Meagan leaned back on the single bed that was right beside mine and grabbed her big green hairbrush from the adjoining night table. She listened to me as she pinned her long, curly auburn hair up on top of her head, and then smirked as she stood up and stretched.

Well, I’m glad you’re awake and not screaming anymore. You were scaring me, too.

Sorry. This was one of those dreams that seemed really real, you know? Anyway, the details are fading away fast and I’m glad I didn’t get Nana and Grandpa up here.

I don’t think they heard you, Sarah. I mean, who can hear anything through that horrible country whining they’re listening to downstairs. We really have to work on getting them some better music when they move back home with us.

Meagan sauntered over to the window and laughed as she opened the drapes and leaned her petite body against the windowsill. It’s so beautiful here, Sarah, so peaceful and serene. I’m going to miss coming here for our summer holidays, but on the other hand, it’s going to be great having them live so close to us again.

I massaged my face slowly and wiped the sleep from my eyes as I stroll over to the window to join her. Nana’s gardens have always been her pride and joy, and just looking down at all the colorful flowers and uniquely shaped bushes that ranged from every shade of green to deep red told me that she and Grandpa had put a lot of work into getting them to look so beautiful.

I know, and their new yard is so small compared to this, Meg. But I’m sure it won’t be long before they’ve turned it into a little paradise, as well.

Meagan sighed heavily as she watched several bright red cardinals feeding on the large tiffany bird feeder below. Yeah, well I just hope they don’t try to change our yards. They’re going to be living right next to both of us and my mom’s thrilled, but she was telling my dad that they better not try to change her front garden. You know how stubborn Nana is and how her way is always the only way.

We laughed and got dressed as we reminisced about our visits here over the years. It had always been the highlight of our summers to come to British Columbia and visit our grandparents and hike in the massive forest, but this would be the last visit here. They were moving back home to Bearsfield, Idaho with us in a few weeks, and we were heading into the next phase of our own lives.

Meg, I can hardly believe that we’re starting college next month and that this will be our last holiday here, not that this has really been a holiday so far. All we’ve done is pack and clean. But then there is tonight and that will change everything.

Meagan stretched out her left arm and wiggled her fingers that flashed her lavender-colored nails and showed off her small, purple amethyst ring.

I know. The guys will be here tonight and it’s going to be great. Geez, a whole week without seeing or hearing from Nik and I miss him so much. You know, I really wish Nana and Grandpa had some form of communication here besides a phone that’s out of order because the little town transmitter is being repaired. How do they live like this?

They have each other, Meg, and they like the solitude—well, Grandpa does, anyway. Besides, they have friends from the church in town that they visit on Sundays and that’s all the company they really want. I know my dad is glad they’re moving back.

Meagan picked up a brochure and giggled. Yeah, mine, too. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to get to Pembroke to go mountain gliding tomorrow. It’s going to be great.

My insides tingled as she talked, and not only because I loved mountain gliding that would allow us to see the color and majesty of the falls and scenic view around it, but because Brad was going to come and join us. We had gone to the same high school and he had liked me all year, but I didn’t realize how great he was until the end of the year when we were on our class trip.

Who’d have guessed that Brad and I would ever be together? I really like him, you know, and I really like being with him.

Meagan smiled as she threw the heavy pink comforter over her bed. I know. And you have no idea how glad I am that you finally stopped chasing football heroes and saw this guy who’s been madly in love with you all through high school. Okay, the bed is made and I’m ready to have another fattening country breakfast and then get those boxes packed today. I can’t wait until we’re done.

When I opened the bedroom door, we were greeted by the smell of fried bacon that filtered through the room and almost overpowered us as we stepped carefully down the narrow stairwell that led to the kitchen. We ambled past the wooden door just as Nana was pouring Grandpa a cup of coffee, and when he saw us his face burst into a wide grin through his heavy grey beard.

Nana and Papa were the perfect candidates for Santa and Mrs. Clause in both their appearance and personalities. Nana was full-figured and analyzed everything to pieces and Grandpa was chubby and always saw the light side of every situation.

There’s my twin girls! Come on, Nana has our breakfast all ready for us and maybe we can get some meat on your bones yet. Oh, by the way, girls, my friend Don will be here any second to join us.

Meagan and I looked at each other inquisitively as we pulled out the heavy colonial chairs and sat at the round oak table. She smiled at Grandpa as she filled her glass with orange juice. Who’s Don, Grandpa?

He’s my friend who lives about a mile up the way. We go fishing together every Saturday morning in the summer and today’s no different. We bring our catch home and clean them, and then I cook them on the barbeque outside. All these years and Nana has never come with us so it’s just always been a guy’s day out.

Nana slapped the bacon onto Grandpa’s plate and growled at him under her breath. He’s a grumpy old man and he doesn’t like anyone. What do you see in that old geezer anyway?

Grandpa smiled at us as he looked up at Nana. Now Martha, you know you like Don. Tell the girls the truth. It’s the boat you really don’t like.

Nana glared at Grandpa and raised her voice, almost as if she was angry with him. I’m not going to miss that people-hater when we move, not one bit. And you shouldn’t be listening to him and using that boat, either. It’s not safe and you know it. I don’t know why you’d rather listen to him than to me.

Grandpa poured ketchup onto his plate as he winked at us. Boat’s fine, Martha. It has a little hole and we keep it plugged. Works fine. Heck, we’re leaving here in a couple of weeks and so fixing it now would just be a waste of good money. Besides, I told Don he could have it so let him fix it.

Just like the old truck that sits rotting outside, Lucas. You said all it needs is a new battery and you’re too lazy and too cheap to put in a new one, so now we don’t even have a vehicle to get around in.

We’re moving, Martha, and I’m giving that to Don, too, so he can fix the truck when he fixes the boat. Anyway, you don’t even know how to drive so what do you care?

Nana huffed at Grandpa as she brought the frying pan over to Meagan’s plate. I’ve never had an interest in driving and I’m too old to learn now. Anyway, when we’re back in the city I’ll get a taxi when I want to go out.

Grandpa looked over his shoulder to the kitchen window and waved his hand. I never liked that truck anyway, but my boat; well that’s a different thing. Gonna miss that.

That boat is going to be the death of you yet, Lucas Davies. It’s not safe and it makes me nervous when you go out in it.

Grandpa shook his head as he bit into his fresh toast. I guess the worry on my face must have shown more than I realized and he stopped eating and leaned forward. It’s safe, girls. It’s a tiny hole, nothing to worry about. I misjudged the rocks and one of them punctured it a bit, and I’ve used it a dozen times since then and it floats just the same as always.

Meagan licked the bacon grease from her fingers and looked up at Grandpa. Why do you need a boat when the lake is right at the back of your property and you’ve got a dock? Can’t you just fish there? We used to when we were kids.

Nah, there aren’t any real fish this close. You have to go downstream a couple of miles to where they are. We don’t have a motor on our boat, so it’s a nice quiet trip, and me and Don have this really great spot set in a ways where we do well. It’s kind of out of the way and hidden so some of the other fishing neighbors don’t bother us there.

While we were still talking, a thin, elderly gentleman tapped on the back door and poked his head in as he greeted us with a big smile. Good morning, Davies family.

Hey, Don. Come on in and meet my girls from the big city.

Don seemed like a friendly gentleman at first, but after a few minutes I could see how Nana thought he was not nice, just from his put-down gestures and cold remarks.Well, I hope you girls aren’t like those other unmannered know-it-all young people that have an answer for everything. But then you’re from the city so I suspect you do things the same as everyone else there.

Meagan and I smiled at each other and for Nana’s sake, neither of us responded to his remarks. We weren’t planning on spending any time with this man so it wasn’t worth the effort of starting an argument with him.

We continued eating our breakfast and listening to Grandpa and Don talk about their big catches from other Saturday expeditions. We could see the excitement in Grandpa’s face and we knew he was enjoying his fishing time with Don. When breakfast was over, Meagan and I helped Nana clean up the kitchen and then we brought in a pile of folded boxes from the back porch so we could get them ready to pack.

Don looked at us as he stuffed some of Nana’s sandwiches in Grandpa’s duffle bag. I’m taking these ‘cause your grandma makes the best tuna sandwiches in the world. Besides, I live alone and I don’t make food as good as I get here.

Nana forced a smile at Don and then gave Grandpa a long hug. When will you be home today?

I don’t know, Martha, same as usual, around four. You’re not going to miss me with all the help you have here so there’s no point in me cutting my fishing time short.

But Lucas, it’s so hot and dry out there. Maybe you should come back early.

Grandpa growled as he pulled on his boots. Geez Martha, you worry too much. We’re in a drought on land here, but it’s not that dry where we’re going. Last time I looked, the river was still wet. I wouldn’t recommend anyone hiking in this weather, but fishing is no problem. The dry heat doesn’t bother us at all.

Meagan and I took turns giving Grandpa a hug, but the second he touched me icy chills shot up my back and curled the hairs on the nape of my neck. For a split second,