The Earthquake

The early morning silence was broken by a deafening roar—the earth tearing itself apart. The ground heaved violently. I watched as my beautiful girlfriend was thrown like a rag doll across the room. She lay limp, the walls beginning to crack overhead.

“Lily!” I cried out above the chaos, forcing my way out from beneath the table and over to her.

Picture frames and potted plants smashed beside me like grenades, turning the 10-foot distance into no man’s land.

I flung my body over hers, protecting her from the destruction. Taking her hand in mine, her heartbeat gave me strength.