Chapter 10: Shelter

Emma's POV

We were at a complete loss of what to do next. I didn't know how to swim. Even if I could swim how was I going to swim across with a baby?

The bridge had been completely destroyed in the earthquake. Communication was completely down within the city and the entire Bay Area.

"I don't think that there's anything else that we can do," dad said.

"Jacob there has to be something that we can do. There's always another way," mom countered.

"I don't see any other way. There is no way to get across and no way to communicate with everyone. Even if Emma could swim there's no way we'd have been able to do it without drawing attention to ourselves,"

"So what's next Dad?" my brother asked.

"I don't know son. I really don't. I'm sorry,"

I took a deep breath. "Well I think we should go see if any shelters have been setup already. At least there we'd be able to get some food and water,"

"Would they even have any setup yet?" dad asked.

I thought about it for a second. "Maybe not this fast but by tonight there should at least be a temporary shelter in place,"

We walked for a little while more before finding some shade to rest in. This day had been exhausting for everyone. Even Danny had fallen asleep in my arms. I hoped he'd stay that way for awhile. Every time an aftershock hit he started freaking out all over again and it broke my heart to hear how scared he sounded.

The only thing that still worried me is that we hadn't seen Seth. None of us had heard from him since before the earthquake hit. I hoped to God that he was okay.

After about an hour of resting we continued our trip hoping to find some shelter or some way to get across to the other side.

Finally, just as night was beginning to fall, I could make out a bunch of tents in the distance. Shelter at last!

There were different lines for different services. One for sleeping bags and/or blankets. One for food and water. One for the injured who needed quick medical attention that could be helped outside of a hospital. There was even a line just for parents who had babies and little kids that needed to be checked. That was the line that I chose to go to.

I didn't think there was anything wrong with Danny. I didn't think he was injured but I was still a bit of a worrywart.

I was looking around I spotted. My heart nearly stopped beating. He was here. Out of all places he was here and as a freaking volunteer! Derek. One of the guys who raped me. The one I was certain fathered my son was here as a volunteer serving food. He smiled at my mother when it was her turn. He didn't smile at my father or brother but he smiled at my mother. I shuddered. The other three were there as well. Nathaniel, Tyler, and Eric. All four of them were here acting like good samaritans that wanted to help people.

Someone poked me from behind. I looked back and saw an impatient parent standing behind me. That's when I noticed I was next and hadn't realized it yet.

I had my son over to the nurse and right away he started crying when she, rather roughly, examined every inch of his body. It was really necessary to be so rough to check for broken bones and other injuries? She didn't stop until he peed on her. She glared at me as I fought back a laugh. Then she passed him to the next nurse where he was quickly diapered and dressed.

He didn't stop crying even when he was back in my arms.

The guy in front of me chuckled.

"What's so funny?" I asked when I caught him looking at me.

"Tough little guy isn't he?" he laughed.

"He's just a baby," I retorted.

"I know I'm just messing with you. I do that with cute girls like yourself,"

My voice died in my throat. If I was being honest I thought he was good looking as well. Blond hair, blue eyes, tall, and extremely muscular. Not as good looking as Seth in my opinion but good looking nonetheless. He had a baby girl with him. Not much older than Danny I'm guessing.

"My name is Ben. What's yours?"

"Emma," I managed to say.

"Well Emma nice to you. This is my daughter Melanie. What's his name?"

"Danny,"

"So how old is he?"

"Just a day. How old is your daughter?"

"Melanie is only two weeks old. Hey want to come sit with me? We could use the company,"

"Thanks but my family is waiting for us and I need to calm my son down he's still upset,"

"Thats okay," he looked let down. "I hope we get to see more of you two," he gestured toward my son and held up his baby girl.

Something strange happened when Danny saw her for the first time. It was like a switch in his brain had been switched and he instantly calmed down. The baby girl suddenly became his only focus.

When Ben walked away with her Danny cried out and stretched his arms toward her in desperation. His eyes never once breaking away from her.

"Emma!" dad called out breaking me out of my thoughts. He didn't look to happy and I realized that he had just witnessed a guy trying to flirt with his daughter. Oh boy.

"Jesus so soon after reuniting with you I have to worry about chasing boys away,"

"Oh boy,"

Junior laughed.

"Hey where is mom?" It didn't escape my notice that she wasn't here.

"Some guys asked her to help unload more food. I volunteered but they only wanted your mother and your mother alone," he seemed irritated.

"Which guys?" I asked nervously.

"I think they said their names were Derek, Nathaniel, Tyler, and Eric,"

"Oh no," my heart started beating rapidly. "Oh no Oh no Oh no,"

"Emma what's wrong?" dad asked.

"I saw them dad. They're here,"

"Who?"

"The guys who who-" I couldn't even say it.

"The guys who raped you?! Where are they?!" Dad was shaking with anger.

"They are the guys that mom is with right now,"

Just like that about half the table was destroyed and my father was gone.

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