Page 44 of Carmine

“What about pets?” Savage asked.

“They can take them, but you don’t have time to search for Fluffy if she’s not home. She will have to save herself,” Gunner replied. “Our priority is getting people safe. Chief Howser is using the emergency broadcast and telling the public to wait for collection from the police and search and rescue. If someone doesn’t answer their front door, kick it in. There might be a disabled or elderly person inside or a kid. Check each house thoroughly. Let’s go because every minute we talk here, that lava gets closer.”

I sent a glance over my shoulder at Molly, but she was lost in a report she was reading. With no time to bid goodbye, I rushed after Gunner.

???

“Ma’am, you can’t take the car. We’re trying to keep the streets clear so people can escape. If everyone took their car, the roads would be clogged, and people would die. Now I’m done arguing; get your ass down the street and onto the bus,” I snapped at astuck-up woman. “Or is your BMW worth your life and someone else’s? Decide quickly. There are other houses to check.

“How rude! I’m taking my car!” she snarled.

Fuck this, I was done. Fed up, I grabbed the keys and threw them down a drain.

“You’ll pay for that!” she screamed.

“The bus is there. Get your ass on it. Your entire attitude is risking someone’s life. Move, or I’ll have an officer arrest you,” I warned.

“Carmine, go, I’ve got this. Ma’am, you’ve been told. We are keeping the streets clear for emergency vehicles. Now, you’re causing an obstruction. Either get on of your free will, or I will detain you,” Bobby Lucas said, approaching.

“Well, I never!” the idiotic woman exclaimed, but I was moving onto the next house.

“Lava flow has reached Chapel Lane, everyone needs to hurry,” Axel’s voice came over the radio.

I sped up and knocked at another home. Luckily, the elderly couple were already heading out, and I pointed them in the direction of the bus. Once I had checked their house over, I moved on to the following one. Today was going to be a long day.

Molly

I hadn’t seen Carmine leave and felt guilty over it. He had a job, like I did. After the interview with Susan, I was now back monitoring the incoming data.

“Freaking idiots!” somebody exclaimed, and I looked up and saw everyone watching a TV monitor.

“Always after a story, they don’t care whose life they risk,” Phoe said, tutting as she approached me.

“Turn the sound up,” someone called.

“… After being told by Dr White, head of the GS and by Dr’s Balfour and Balfour-Cherlyn That Dr Molly Balfour-Cherlyn was a crank. They assured us that there couldn’t possibly be volcanic activity in South Dakota, yet we bring you these amazing images. Lava is running down Buzzards Roost in the Black Hills. It appears to be slow-moving but is heading directly for Rapid City.

“On a side note, psychic Aurora-Victoria’s rumoured predictions for this event remain unconfirmed. In addition, shamed volcanologist Dr Molly Balfour-Cherlyn, who claimed this would happen, has been vindicated. This is something nobody ever would’ve believed could possibly happen. Lava running through the Black Hills.

“One has to guess that Dr Molly Balfour-Cherlyn must feel pretty good about herself right now. And as we pan out, you can see the lava and the path it’s taken. So far it has claimed several roads and buildings despite it not being wider. We’ve been informed that this is a narrow flow. But concerns are that this eruption might run for days,” a reporter was saying as they flew over the fissure where lava was coming from.

As the journalist continued talking, a megaphone interrupted them, with law enforcement ordering them to depart the area. The helicopter swerved, and we caught a glimpse of the police chopper before the news copter flew away.

“Was the risk worth it for an exclusive?” I wondered.

Phoe shook her head.

“Lord knows. They are such idiots. Hello dear, I promised Carmine I’d check on you and make sure you’ve eaten,” Phoe said, holding out a plate.

I didn’t remember when I last ate, but my stomach clearly did. It growled loudly. Phoe laughed and handed it to me.

Hungrily, I bit into a sandwich and sighed. I was starving and hadn’t realised.

“Is Carmine okay?” I asked between bites.

“Yes. Rapid City, under attack from lava, has knocked you two clean off the headlines,” Phoe said with a smile.

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

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