✧ The Light Between Us ✧ ☆•° Chapter 8 °•☆ I was soaked. My hair hung limp, plastered against my face. The fresh air had cleared my mind, completely vaporizing the last of the stupor caused by the poison. We had to get out of the car and onto the roof before the water rose even further. It was already covering the tires now. I had no idea how we would get out of this mess. Thankfully, the lightning had stopped- now it was just a steady, ongoing downpour that refused to stop or even lighten. I gathered my scattered thoughts, formulating them into words. "Father," I began. He didn't seem to hear me, most likely because of the rain. "Father," I repeated, this time more loudly. He turned to look at me. "Yes?" he asked wearily. "Noble Pursuit- it's from Gerudo, right?" I said. He nodded. "The Calamity was also from Gerudo?" I continued. "Yes," he said slowly. "Are you saying there's a connection?" "Purah-" I hesitated. Father didn't think much of Purah's research. He might not consider her a reliable source. "Purah thinks there is. I just met a boy named Link recently, too." He narrowed his eyes. "Link- like the legendary hero?" "Purah says the Calamity is returning." My words were gushing out now, pouring out like the pounding rain. "That's why a Link has appeared. And the poisoned drinks from the Calamity's birthplace. Malice might be spreading again." "Slow down, slow down." Father raised his hands. "I see your reasoning, but really? Purah?" My face fell. Of course he wouldn't take any theory coming from her seriously. "It seems plausible," I said defensively. "We can't rule out any possibilities, especially when I'm in danger." I hated bringing up my safety, but it always worked against Father. He sighed. "Fine. I'll send a few officials to Gerudo to check it out. But, young lady-" he looked at me sternly- "don't think I'm not on to you. I can tell when you've played your trump card." I smiled. Partly in agreement, partly from amusement. Father could be stern sometimes, but now was not one of those times. I knew he was just saying it to save face. The trauma of the poison, then escape from the immediate flooding was slowly wearing off. Although the water kept rising, Father assured me that Hoz was coming soon. A low, steady throbbing sounded out above us. I looked up, the vibrating air humming in my ears. It was a helicopter, and Hoz was leaning out of it precariously, pointing us out to the pilot. "Father, look!" I yelled, pointing up. Hoz waved at us as the helicopter lowered to our level. He dropped out a rope ladder and we climbed up into the safety of the emergency transport. A blanket lay on the seats and I snatched it up, wrapping myself in its dry warmth. "Hello, Your Majesties!" Hoz shouted over the noise of the rotor blades. "We'll have to make a stop by Lurelin Village to pick up more refugees. All the other choppers are working overtime, transporting the injured to hospitals." I nodded. Anything to help. "Buckle up," the pilot crackled over the intercom. "At the risk of sounding cliche, it might be a bumpy ride." I sat down hurriedly, jamming down the seat belt. Not a moment too soon. We lurched forward wildly in Lurelin's direction. The rain sprayed out around us, but it was finally lightening, making it safe for the helicopters to come into the catastrophe zone. I wasn't familiar with hurricanes, but I knew this was unusual. They would always last for several days before dying out. But this one had been only 1 or 2 hours long. "That can't be a coincidence," I murmured. The pilot gestured that we had arrived. I leaned over to see the wreckage, hoping I could spot Mubs. Father put a hand on my shoulder protectively, presumably to keep me from tumbling out. I spotted a raft floating on the flood waters, carrying a few huddled figures crowded together. The helicopter descended slowly, hovering right above them. Hoz grabbed the rope ladder and tossed it out, beckoning for the refugees to climb up. They did so gratefully. As they entered, I gasped. "Mubs!" I squealed, hugging her wet form. "You're okay!" "I- I-" she stuttered, shivering. "I- saw something-" "You're fine now," I soothed her. "I saw something," she insisted, a frightened look in her eyes. "Like- like a shadow, out on the ocean. With red lightning." My curiosity piqued, I leaned in to hear more. What she said next only confirmed my suspicions about the origin of the typhoon. "Some sort of monster," Mubs whispered. "Covered in Malice. Some sort of- Calamity." ☆•° Chapter 7 °•☆ ☆•° Chapter 9 °•☆
