Page 79 of Sheltering Instinct

“Yes.” Mojo had rounded in front of Tess and sat on her feet. He scanned the vista just like he had when he climbed the hill to save her that first day.

“If that was the correct model,” Gwen asked, “could the effects of the wobble reach all the way down to Namibia? Do you remember?”

“At the time, I thought southern Angola. But it’s been days,” Tess said.

“The wobble?” That was Craig’s voice. “What kind of weather would that cause?”

“A torrent, Dad.”

“As much as Morocco?” Iris asked.

“No, Mom, if that model dipped lower, that would cause catastrophic flooding across the whole of northern Namibia. Looking, Tess.”

“If that’s what’s happening, we need to warn people—Enrico at Etosha, the rest of Iniquus—and you all need to get out.”

“Get out?” Iris asked. “But we’re near high ground.”

“This isn’t a time when you could go up there and wait to see what happens. A storm the size Tess is talking about causes mudslides. Up isn’t safe.”

“Yes. South. Gather up what you need to save and start driving. Don’t wait.”

“Gwen, dear, this seems excessive.”

“Oh, wow, Tess. Yup, you were right. That darned red line is extending straight south into Namibia. I’ll start making calls.”

“Gwen, now stop.” Iris’s voice warbled.

“Mom, I've heard Tess sound like this too many times to take it lightly. This is how Tess sounds right before a disaster. It’s in her voice.”

“You've been in a disaster with Tess before?” Iris sounded bewildered.

“You have no idea how many times. Mom, seriously, if she's talking about floods, you need to prepare for floods. Do you know what Tess does with her hand in the air? It's like she's sipping information. Tess, I’m back. Where should we go?”

“My first knee-jerk thought is the American Embassy in Windhoek. We drove by it, remember? It looks like a fortress, and while it’s on an elevation. Gwen, here’s the important thing: Enrico knows who you are and what you do. If you just call anyone saying the sky is falling, they won’t listen. Call Enrico. I don’t know how they evacuate, but the infrastructure in the area won’t protect anyone.”

Another group of tourists were entering the Himba village, asking the chief for permission to pass by the sacred fire.

Though the sun was out, and the sky hadn’t changed from its giraffe-spot-clouded blue, a strobe of lightning flashed.

The Himba tribal members stood and looked toward the sky. Then they turned to look at Tess with distress.

A moment later, thunder rumbled from the north.

“Go home!” Tess called as she ran. “Go home! Get as high up as you can! Don’t wait. Go now!” She was sprinting for their Jeep, Levi and Mojo glued to her side.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Levi

Following Tess, Levi sprinted for the vehicle.

He knew he was wearing his battle face, yet he had no idea what was going on.

Tess had gone to stand by the hut, a finger in her ear, looking down at the ground with concentration. As she slid her phone back into her pocket, she scooped her hand toward Levi to get him moving as she hauled ass toward the entrance, screaming for people to save themselves.

Had he seen the flash of lightning? Yes.

Beyond the fact that the tour was obviously over for them, he was running blind.

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