Chapter 16: Earthquake Aftermath
The ground had barely stopped shaking when Journey and Turner arrived at the scene. The city had been hit by a massive earthquake, leaving buildings toppled, roads cracked, and people in desperate need of help. Sirens wailed in the distance, and the air was thick with dust and fear.
“This is bad,” Turner said, surveying the destruction.
“We need to act fast.”
Journey nodded, her eyes already scanning the debris for any signs of life.
“We’ll split up. Turner, you stabilize the buildings and clear the rubble. I’ll use my time weaving to find and rescue trapped survivors.”
Turner created multiple duplicates of himself, each echo heading toward a different building.
“On it. Be careful, Journey.”
Journey gave him a determined nod and sprinted toward the nearest collapsed structure. As she approached, she could hear faint cries for help. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and focused her power. Time around her began to slow, the world moving at a fraction of its normal speed. She stepped through the rubble, carefully lifting debris and making her way toward the trapped voices.
“Hold on, I’m coming!” Journey called out, her voice calm and reassuring.
She found a family huddled under a fallen beam, their faces pale with fear. Journey used her time weaving to gently lift the beam and set it aside, freeing the family.
“Thank you,” the father said, his voice trembling.
“We didn’t think anyone would find us.”
Journey gave them a comforting smile. “You’re safe now. Head to the emergency center; they’ll take care of you.”
Meanwhile, Turner and his echoes were hard at work. Each duplicate took on a different task: stabilizing a swaying building, clearing blocked roads, and rescuing people trapped under rubble. The city was a chaotic mess, but Turner’s echoes moved with precision and purpose.
One of Turner’s echoes came across a group of firefighters struggling to lift a large slab of concrete.
“Need a hand?” the echo asked, his voice confident.
The firefighters looked up, relief washing over their faces.
“We’d appreciate it,” one of them said.
The echo created additional duplicates, and together they lifted the slab, revealing a young woman trapped underneath. The firefighters quickly pulled her out and carried her to safety.
“Thank you,” the lead firefighter said, gratitude evident in his eyes.
Turner’s echo nodded.
“Just doing our part. There are more people to save; stay safe.”
Journey moved to the next collapsed building, her senses sharp. She could hear a child crying, and she wasted no time, weaving through the debris with time on her side. She found the child under a desk, tears streaming down his face.
“Hey there,” Journey said softly, kneeling beside him.
“I’m here to help. Let’s get you out of here.”
The child sniffled and nodded, reaching for her hand. Journey lifted him gently and carried him to safety, her movements swift and careful.
Turner and his echoes continued their work, stabilizing buildings and directing rescue efforts. One echo found an elderly couple trapped in their home, the ceiling on the verge of collapse. He quickly created a support structure to hold the ceiling up, then guided the couple to safety.
“You’re a lifesaver,” the elderly man said, his voice shaky.
Turner’s echo smiled.
“Glad to help. Head to the emergency center; they’ll take care of you.”
Journey and Turner regrouped briefly, their faces showing the strain of their efforts but also a fierce determination.
“How’s it going on your end?” Turner asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
Journey nodded.
“We’re making progress. But there are still people trapped. We need to keep moving.”
Turner’s echoes merged back into him, giving him a brief moment of rest.
“Agreed. Let’s get back to it.”
As they continued their rescue efforts, the city’s inhabitants began to rally together. Volunteers joined in, following Turner’s echoes and Journey’s lead. The sense of unity and determination was palpable.
Journey reached another collapsed building, her time weaving revealing a group of people trapped in a basement. She carefully navigated through the debris, using her power to create safe passageways. She found them huddled together, their faces filled with fear and hope.
“We’re here to help,” Journey said, her voice steady. “Stay close to me, and we’ll get you out.”
The group followed her, their trust in her unwavering. She led them through the debris, her power keeping them safe until they reached the surface.
“Thank you, thank you so much,” a woman said, tears of relief streaming down her face.
Journey smiled warmly. “You’re welcome. Head to the emergency center; they’ll take care of you.”
Turner was working on stabilizing a building that had partially collapsed, his echoes providing support beams to prevent further damage. He saw a group of people trapped on the upper floors, unable to escape.
“Hang tight! We’re going to get you out!” Turner shouted up to them.
His echoes created a makeshift ladder, allowing the trapped people to climb down to safety. Turner directed them to the emergency center, ensuring they were out of harm’s way.
As the day wore on, Journey and Turner’s efforts began to pay off. More and more people were rescued, and the city’s infrastructure was being stabilized. The sense of despair was gradually replaced with hope and determination.
Journey reached the last collapsed building, her senses attuned to any signs of life. She heard a faint voice and focused her power, slowing time to navigate the dangerous debris. She found a man pinned under a fallen beam, his face pale but alive.
“Hang on,” Journey said, her voice calm and reassuring. “I’m going to get you out.”
She used her time weaving to lift the beam, her movements precise and controlled. She freed the man and carefully carried him to safety, her power ensuring they both remained unharmed.
“Thank you,” the man said weakly, his eyes filled with gratitude.
Journey smiled. “You’re welcome. Head to the emergency center; they’ll take care of you.”
Turner and his echoes were finishing up the stabilization efforts, their work nearly complete. One of his echoes came across a woman trying to find her family amidst the chaos.
“Can I help you?” the echo asked gently.
The woman looked up, her eyes filled with worry. “I can’t find my husband and son. They were in our apartment when the earthquake hit.”
The echo nodded. “We’ll find them. Stay here, and I’ll bring them to you.”
He directed another echo to search the apartment, and within minutes, they found the woman’s husband and son trapped but alive. The echo helped them out, and they were reunited with the woman, their relief palpable.
“Thank you, thank you so much,” the woman said, tears streaming down her face.
Turner’s echo smiled. “We’re glad you’re safe.”
As the sun began to set, Journey and Turner regrouped once more, their faces showing signs of exhaustion but also satisfaction. They had saved countless lives and brought hope to a city in despair.
“We did it,” Turner said, his voice filled with pride.
Journey nodded, her expression determined. “Yes, we did. But our work isn’t over. We need to keep fighting, keep helping, until everyone is safe.”
Turner extended his hand, and Journey took it, their bond unbreakable. “Together, we can face anything.”
With the city’s inhabitants rallying behind them, Journey and Turner knew they had made a difference. They had faced the aftermath of an earthquake and emerged victorious, their powers and unity bringing hope and safety to those in need. As they looked out over the city, they felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The fight against Larkson was far from over, but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they were unstoppable.