🌊🌊TSUNAMI🌊🌊

By Tessa Harvey

Chapter Three

The mainland people did not have much to do with the island peoples. Still, the survivors had been carefully winched to safety, and accommodation had been found for them. In the morning, search boats could be sent to pick up the bodies of those that hadn't survived, if they could be found.

Frankie intended to go with them along with a few other relatives. Right now his head was filled with images of destruction, broken homes, broken trees, the truck tumbling over and over; people crying out in hope and fear and desolation. The noise still seemed to engulf him, in surging waves.

Once around the bend in the track, Malawi had paused for breath, leaning over a split palm tree, the ache from his earlier head injury suddenly surging into pain. This pause had saved him.

The wave was on him before he knew it, trying to rip him free from the tree. Malawi struggled to breathe as water rose over him. Much of the momentum had been spent further down the island, though there was still enough power to toss the ute past him. A tyre caught him, pushing the boy further into the tree.

Hours later, he awoke, conscious of burning thirst and pain. The sun beat down. Malawi longed for rescue but did not know if there would be anything, at least in time to save him. 

Saltwater dribbled from his mouth and he slid deeper into unconsciousness and cold.

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