Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk (Williams and Shawn)

The sky looked like it had split open, pouring rain in endless sheets.

Under the eaves, the rainwater dripped in long, glittering strands, turning everything outside into a blurry watercolor. The village didn't have paved roads- just muddy paths that were now nothing but slick puddles. Every step pulled at your boots, making you feel like you had to use every ounce of strength just to move forward.

Willow's husband had gone to the market in town that morning. When he came back, he was soaked and covered in mud, his boots caked in yellow-brown sludge. He handed Willow a bag of fresh beef and ribs, dropped his umbrella by the door, and started changing out of his muddy shoes.

Willow took the groceries into the kitchen, then turned to Allison. "Allison, why don't you and Brooklyn stay a few more days? It's not safe to go out in weather like this, and the roads are a mess."

Allison stood on the porch, frowning at the endless gray curtain of rain. "I just got a text. My flight's been canceled because of the storm."

Willow nodded. "It's always like this during the rainy season. Every year, we get a week or so where it just pours nonstop."

Allison watched the rain with a worried look.

Willow tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. I know our place isn't fancy, but you won't go hungry or cold. Sit tight—I'll go cook up some spicy beef and braised ribsnoveldrama

for you."

Allison managed a tired smile. "Thank you. That's really sweet of you."

Willow waved it off with a grin. "It's no trouble. I was actually worried I wouldn't be able to take care of you properly."

Outside, the rain only picked up, hammering at the house with no sign of stopping.

Before long, the weather service sent out a red alert for severe storms.

The rain didn't stop for three days and three nights.

On the third night, thunder shook the whole house and lightning flashed outside. Allison woke up to the storm and the sound of voices coming from downstairs. She and Brooklyn were sharing the guest room upstairs, while the living room, kitchen, and storage were all on the first floor.

Allison slipped on a jacket and stepped out into the hallway, stopping at the top of the stairs to listen.

"Hurry! The water's coming in-stack those boxes higher!" Willow's husband shouted.

"Did you shut off the main power? We can't risk a short," Willow called back.

"It's off! Come help me get everything off the floor in the kitchen. Put it on the table so it doesn't get soaked."

Allison went downstairs and saw water already pooling across the floor. Willow and her husband were wading through it, trying to move things out of the way.

Willow spotted her and paused. "Allison, why are you up?"

"Do you need help?" Allison asked.

"No, no, go back upstairs and rest. It's just a bit of water, nothing major."

With the power off, there were no lights-just the shaky beam of a flashlight cutting through the darkness.

Allison stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking around at the mess.

Willow, arms full of supplies, sloshed through the water, which was already up to her shins.

Allison frowned. "Has this happened before?"

Willow shook her head. "Only once, five years ago, was it this bad. I really didn't think it would happen again. I'm sorry, Allison-I never meant for you to get stuck here."

"It's okay," Allison said quietly. "Let me help."

Willow handed her a box. "Can you take this up to the living room upstairs?"

"Of course." Allison bent down to grab it.

But then-splash-her phone slid out of her pocket and disappeared into the water.

Willow gasped, quickly fishing it out. Allison wiped it off and tried to turn it on, but nothing happened. Shee pressed the buttons again, but screen stayed black.

"Is it working?" Willow asked, worried.

Allison shook her head.

Willow's face fell. "What are we going to do? The flood's blocked the roads, deliveries are stopped, trains and flights are all canceled... We're stuck here, and there's no way to get a new phone. You won't be able to contact anyone."

Allison frowned, thinking. "I can use Brooklyn's phone to call home and let them know I'm okay."

Willow breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. I'm really sorry, Allison. I never expected a flood. I didn't mean for you to get stuck here."

"It's fine. The rescue teams should be here by tomorrow."

***

The next morning, Brooklyn had just woken up when Allison asked to borrow her phone.

Brooklyn grabbed it and stared at the screen. "What? It's only got one percent battery. I charged it before bed."

"Hurry, there's still a little power left. I just need to call home," Allison said quickly.

Brooklyn handed it over. Allison scrolled through her contacts and called Javier.

Thankfully, he picked up.

Allison didn't waste time. "Dad, it's Allie. My phone got soaked and

won't turn on, so I'm using

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Brooklyn's to let you know I'm safe. Don't worry about me."

"Allie, I—" Javier's voice cut off.

Allison looked down-the phone had gone black. Battery dead.

Brooklyn was confused. "Didn't it charge last night?"

"No, the house flooded and we had to turn off the main switch to keep safe,"

Allison explained.

Brooklyn shrugged. "Well, can't we just turn it back on and plug in?"

Allison frowned and glanced out the window. Water everywhere. Trees knocked down by the wind. It looked bad.

She wondered if the power lines were down, too.

A few minutes later, Willow knocked and poked her head in. "The village's lines are down. Whole place is out of power."

She tried to sound upbeat. "Good thing we cook with firewood. I brought some upstairs last night, so at least we can eat."

That morning, Willow made a pot of noodles and brought some to Allison.

After breakfast, Allison asked, "Has the rescue team come yet?"

Willow shook her head with a sigh. "There are a few more villages ahead of us. We're pretty remote. I think they won't get here until tomorrow."