Page 16 of Organized Chaos

“Wait.” Phillip held up a hand in a stop motion. “I think I remember putting some flashlights away down here a few years ago.” He strode over to the boxes and began digging. “I’m sure of it. They’re probably dead by now.” He sent Sarah a grin. “But we’ll hope and pray the batteries lasted.”

“That’s better.” She gave the fire a wide berth and moved to the far end of the stack of boxes. “Anything else that might be helpful? Rope?”

Phillip’s crow of triumph snapped her head up. A rush of dizziness blurred her vision. When she shook it clear, Phillip stood amid the boxes with two flashlights in his hands. He clicked the switches. Sarah held her breath when the room remained as dark as ever.

Phillip banged a light against his palm, then tried the other, without success.

“This one time, I tried to convince a homeless man to move in with me.” Sarah talked while moving toward Phillip. “Turns out he wasn’t homeless and was pretty upset that I’d assume he needed help.”

Phillip’s attention moved from slamming the flashlights into the nearest shelf to looking at her. “Why did you think he was homeless?”

“Because I saw him sitting on the sidewalk in front of the coffeeshop every day. He always looked disheveled and dirty.” Shame prickled the back of her neck, and she pulled her shoulders toward her ears. “I thought I was doing the right thing by trying to help. You know, taking the Bible to heart and trying to help those less fortunate.”

Phillip appeared intrigued. He tilted his head to the side. “I thought you were a vagrant when I saw you creeping in here.”

She made a show of dusting off her overalls. “I learned that day not to judge based on physical appearance. Not only did he have a steady job and a home, but he’d spent most of his life giving to charities. Turns out, he was sitting on the corner waiting for the stray dogs. He said they never approached when he wore normal clothes. Something about the smell on his work clothes made them comfortable.”

“I feel like you’re telling me I misjudged you.” He rocked his head side to side. “And you’d be right.”

“I’m also saying that everything might not be the way it appears at first glance.” She spread her arms and turned a slowcircle. “It looks like we’re trapped down here with no hope of getting out. But look at what’s come of it. I met you.”

His grunt could mean anything, but Sarah chose to believe it meant he didn’t mind meeting her too. Circumstances aside.

She forged ahead. “The flashlight batteries are dead, but you made a nice fire. We won’t freeze or starve to death by morning.” Her stomach groaned like she’d personally insulted it. “You’re good at planning, and I’m great with spontaneity. We both believe in God, which means this adventure came as no surprise to him. Whatever happens, we’re together and God is with us.”

“I’m not trying to throw you through the hole in the floor. Ceiling.” Phillip gestured at the spot overhead. “Whatever.”

“Good.” She clasped her hands and rocked on her heels. “Because I have another idea.”

“Why do I feel like I should say no?” He huffed and dropped the flashlights back into the box.

Sarah tried to keep her tone light. “Because you believe in doing everything by the book and thinking through every possible outcome before you begin.” Which was fine for Phillip. She, however, operated with a different set of rules.

She made her way over to the broken staircase.

Phillip grabbed her arm and forced her to a stop. “That’s too dangerous.”

She pulled her arm free and motioned overhead. “It’s the best option we have. Maybe if I knock this staircase down, we can use it to climb out there.” She pointed toward the gaping hole where the smoke from their fire wisped upward.

“If the goal is to knock them down, then I should be the one climbing. I’m heavier.” He started up the steps.

Sarah hauled him away by the back of his shirt. “If you fall, I can’t catch you. You might break something, and I definitely can’t drag you out of here with a broken leg. Or worse.” Shescowled and crossed her arms. “I’m going to climb to the top step, then see if there’s any way I can make it over to the door.”

He shook his head, disbelief evident in his eyes. “You just refuse to listen to me.”

“I can’t keep waiting for someone to show up.” Her throat tightened at the thought of sitting around doing nothing. “I have to keep trying.”

“This is not going to end well.” He held up his first finger. “One more time. Try one more time and if it doesn’t work, then we give my idea a go.”

“You have an idea?” This she had to hear.

Phillip grimaced and buffed the back of his neck. “It’s almost as bad as your staircase idea, so don’t get your hopes up.”

“Oh.” She shrugged. “Okay then. We’ll try this again.” She clambered up the first few steps with ease then slowed her pace when the wood creaked beneath her. It wobbled a bit then steadied, and she let her shoulders drop from their tensed position. “Everything good down there?”

“Sure. If good means you’re risking life and limb.” His voice carried up to her, all teasing gone.

She didn’t dare look down but instead focused straight ahead. Her foot lifted and settled on the next step. One second she was going up; and the next, the step gave way sending her crashing down.

---