Terri Blackstock - Last Light (Restoration Series #1)

Soul Restoration

Emerald Windows

Cape Refuge Series

1 | Cape Refuge

2 | Southern Storm

3 | Rivers Edge

4 | Breakers Reef

Newpointe 911

1 | Private Justice

2 | Shadow of Doubt

3 | Word of Honor

4 | Trial by Fire

5 | Line of Duty

Sun Coast Chronicles

1 | Evidence of Mercy

2 | Justifiable Means

3 | Ulterior Motives

4 | Presumption of Guilt

Second Chances

1 | Never Again Good-Bye

2 | When Dreams Cross

3 | Blind Trust

4 | Broken Wings

With Beverly LaHaye

1 | Seasons Under Heaven

2 | Showers in Season

3 | Times and Seasons

4 | Season of Blessing

Novellas

Seaside

Deni Branning stepped down onto the tarmac, pulled out the handle of her carry-on, and glanced back up at her dad. He was just exiting the commuter plane as he chatted over his shoulder with the man whod sat next to him on the flight. Doug Branning had never met a stranger, which accounted for his success as a stockbroker. Hed snagged some of his best clients on flights like this.

The oppressive Birmingham humidity settled over Deni like a heavy coat. Its temporary, she told herself. She wouldnt have to spend the summer here. Just this last week of May, and then it was back to D.C., her new job, and the fianc shed dreamed of for all of her twenty-two years. Yes, it was hot in the nations capital, too, and probably just as humid. But its fast-paced importance made it easier to bear.

As her father reached the bottom step, his small bag clutched in his hand, the loud hum of the planes engine went silent. A sudden, eerie quiet settled over the place, as if someone had muted all the machinery around them. The conveyor belt purging the cargo bin of its luggage stopped. The carts dragging the luggage carriers stalled.

She smelled something burning.

Her father seemed oblivious to the sudden change, so she fell into step beside him, rolling her bag behind her.

Look out! Its coming in too fast!

She turned back to see the airline employees gaping at the sky. An airliner was descending too steeply from the sky, silently torpedoing toward the runway. Dad!

She screamed as the plane shattered into the runway, the impact vibrating through her bones. Time seemed to stop in a nightmarish freeze-frame, then roll into slow-motion horror as the plane tumbled wildly across the pavement and spun into a building.

Her dad tried to pull away. In the building, Deni! Now! Lets go!

Before she could get her feet to move, the plane exploded, flames bustling around it like a parachute that had finally caught wind. The blast of rippling heat knocked her off her feet, and before she could scramble up, her dad was over her, sheltering her with his body.

Stay down, honey!

She struggled to see through the shield of his arms. The fire conquered the broken fuselage, swallowing it whole. She imagined the people inside that plane, crawling over each other in a desperate effort to escape, slowly perishing in the murderous heat. Panic shot through her.

Her father got up and pulled her to her feet. Come on, were going inside!

But the people! Dad, the people She looked back, feeling the heat on her face.

Now, Deni!

Theyre burning, she screamed. Somebody has to get them out!

Theyre trying. His voice broke as he got back to his feet and grabbed up her suitcase. Theres nothing we can do.

She got up, staring toward the wreckage. The crowd of employees who ran to give aid stood helpless, unable to get close. Her father put his arm around her and moved her toward the building. They ran up the steps to their arrival gate.

They were greeted by darkness.

They hurried through the terminal to a window that provided some light. A crowd of people clustered around it, watching the plane burn.

Doug headed for two Delta clerks who stood talking urgently. Where are the fire trucks? Has anybody called them?

A distracted employee shook his head. The phones arent working. Everythings out.

He grabbed his cell phone out of his pocket, and Deni watched him try to dial 911. But the readout was blank. He shook his head. Its dead. My battery must have lost its charge. Try yours, Deni.

She dug her phone out of her purse and hit the on button. Hers was dead, too. Had both their batteries died on the plane?

She looked back out the window. The plane continued to burn... engulfed in a conflagration that wouldnt be quenched. Helpless airport employees stood back, looking around for help. Someone had pulled out a fire extinguisher and was shooting white foam, but it was like squirting a water pistol at a towering inferno.

Deni thought of herself and her dad sitting on the plane just moments ago. It could have been them out there, trapped in a burning metal coffin.

Gritting her teeth, she pounded her fists on the window. Where are the stupid fire trucks?

I dont know. Dougs whisper was helpless, horrified.

She watched the chaos on the tarmac as employees ran in different directions, looking confused and defeated, shouting and gesturing wildly for help. Some started pointing up to the sky...