But as we sat there, the reality of our situation hit me again. “What if we can’t go back home?” I whispered, my voice shaky.

  “We will,” Emily said firmly. “As soon as it’s safe, we’ll go back home, and everything will be okay.”

  “Promise?” I asked, looking into her eyes.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Promise,” she said, squeezing my hand.

  As we nestled deeper into our hiding spot, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could face this storm together. The chaos outside was overwhelming, but with Emily by my side, I felt a little stronger.

  “We’ll wait for the right moment,” Emily said, her voice steady. “And when it comes, we’ll be ready.”

  And just like that, we became partners in survival, two little girls against the storm, with no parents hoping for a brighter tomorrow.