Emily looked at her, deadpan. “And you dare to sleep next to a monster?”

"I'll forgive you this time," Elizabeth said, snuggling into the blankets contentedly. "I'm going to sleep too. If I'm asleep, I won't be hungry."

Emily was speechless.

Her phone was usually flooded with messages. Since the typhoon made landfall in Ashworth, many friends, including Emma George, had messaged her to be careful. With so many notifications, she had only managed to reply to Emma. Now she had the time to answer everyone else, but no signal to do so.

Tristan Davis had been out of touch since his business trip began, aside from a single text to say he'd arrived safely. Emily understood his work often prevented communication, so she hadn't tried to message him.

After scrolling through her inbox, she threw back the covers and got up.

"Where are you going?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm hungry too," Emily said, leaving her phone on the bed. "I'm going downstairs to find something to eat."

Elizabeth sat up, surprised. “Are you serious?"

They were in Emily's room. Emily was rummaging on the floor for something that could serve as a raincoat. "What other choice do we have? The only food is downstairs."

The resort chefs only came to the villas at mealtimes. Right now, the two of them were completely alone.

Elizabeth made an instant decision, throwing off the blankets and slipping on her shoes. "Then I'm coming with you." She grabbed an umbrella Emily had found. "I'll hold this for us."

Emily handed her a jacket. "Put this on. The rain will be heavy, and we're going to get soaked. We don't have raincoats, so these jackets are the best we can do."

They bundled up, opened the door, and were immediately hit by a blast of wind and rain. The roar of the storm intensified, stirring a primal fear. Elizabeth quickly angled the umbrella against the gale as they hunched over, making their way carefully down the stairs. They navigated through the debris-strewn living room and finally reached the kitchen.

With Elizabeth holding the umbrella, Emily searched the refrigerator but only found a few raw carrots. Everything else required cooking. They moved to the cupboards with their pathetic handful of carrots and stood on their toes, searching for anything edible. Unfortunately, there was nothing. The villas were stocked daily by the chefs, with very little left behind.

"I thought this was supposed to be a vacation, not a survival mission!" Elizabeth wailed. "We look like a couple of refugees."

Emily stared at the carrots in her hand, equally dismayed. “Well, I guess this will have to do for now..."

Just as she spoke, they heard the sound of a car horn from outside. They looked toward the front of the villa and saw one of the resort's SUVs pulling up to their door.

They exchanged a look, then huddled under the umbrella and made their way to the entrance. Opening the door, they saw a resort staff member in a raincoat, struggling to stay upright against the wind. Only his solid build kept him from being blown over. He reached out to them. "You can't stay here! Come on, I'll get you out." Elizabeth thanked the heavens and took his offered hand. "How did you know we were in trouble?"

The man guided her toward the vehicle, shouting over the storm. Elizabeth could barely make out his words. "...got a call... we would have been here sooner, but the roads are blocked everywhere... had to clear a path as we drove..."