Evil under the Mountain -#BookExcerpt Three

They had no doubt the continuous shaking and the sound akin to a sonic boom would have roused their cadre of geologists along with the rest of the community. When they reached the flatbed trailer, there were dozens of residents including Dan, Graham, Fiona, and Melora, standing and looking southwest.

Ash and Caleb turned and could see a huge, brilliant, orange, glow in the distance with massive streaks of orangish-red colors shooting high into the sky, choreographed to a cacophony of roaring and rumbling blasts.

As they stood staring at the epic pyrotechnic exhibition, people trickled in until nearly everyone in Beartooth huddled together in the center of the community, looking toward the fireball in the sky. Olivia, Owen, Miranda, Ryan, Dillon, and Evelyn crowded in around Ash, Caleb, and Sara.

For a moment, no one spoke. The most extreme forces of Mother Nature were showcased against a black sky ablaze with a humbling display of supremacy.

Caleb held Sara tight to his chest and pulled Ash close to him. Dillon stood on the other side of her and had his arms wrapped around his petite wife standing in front of him.

“What do you see?” Evelyn asked as she looked back at the group over her shoulder.

No one responded right away, not sure who she was asking.

“I see beauty,” Olivia finally said as she nudged Owen with her elbow, and he uttered, “destruction.”

“But life will emerge from the ashes,” Miranda pondered.

“I see immense power and strength,” Ryan said.

“Maybe we’re witnessing nature’s vengeance for our carelessness,” Caleb mused.

“And how small we really are in the grand scheme of life,” Dillon added.

“I see hope. Pressure has been building underground and throughout humanity. It is finally being released. This may not be the end. I have to believe it symbolizes a new beginning, a rebirth,” Ash said.

Evelyn chuckled. “I meant literally. I just see a huge, blurry, orange blob, but I like your answers better, especially Ash’s. If we don’t see the hope, there is none.”