"Daddy I'm scared.." little Alfred said, clutching his flashlight in his small hands.
"I know lad, just be calm alright? We'll get through this.."
Arthur, a well known English author, and his son Alfred, sat in the dark shelter. Alfred was shaking as he held onto his father figure. He was only six years old, he shouldn't be experiencing a hurricane.
They were lucky to have gotten out when they did, the lights had gone out earlier that day as well as the water being cut off. Alfred, being the scaredy-cat that he is, was crying his eyes out and wouldn't let go of Arthur's arm. When Arthur got the call about the incoming hurricane he packed two small bags for them, some spare cash, a flashlight and spare batteries, his cellphone and charger, and some food just in case.
Now, the two were sitting in a cramped hurricane shelter with other families. Arthur tried distracting himself as Alfred sat in his lap playing with his flashlight. The lawn mower was still out in the lawn, he had a manuscript due for his next children's book in a few weeks, Alfred has a Parent-Teacher conference night on the twenty second.
"Daddy, are you okay?"
Alfred's little voice broke Arthur of his thoughts as he looked down at the six year old. He smiled reassuringly and told him, "Yes lad, I'm alright," he brushed a strand of Alfred's hair back, "I'm just glad your alright."
"It's just all really scary," little Alfred told him, nuzzling into the Brit's chest. Arthur pet Alfred's head soothingly, he wanted to keep him calm through this storm.
Thunder and lightning cracked outside in the storm, they all heard the rain as it pounded down on the steal roof of the building.
They'd get through this, they only had to wait out the storm, right?