To help with their finances, Jenna was trying to get a data-processing job that would let her do extra work at home. She was also careful with money, never spending beyond their budget. Thats why she had buckled Cassie and Caleb into the familys ten-year-old Ford Focus and come here.
But before heading out this morning, shed hesitated. The forecast had called for a slight risk of severe weather later this afternoon. Standing in her driveway, she thought the sky looked fine, and she planned to be home by early afternoon. Besides, she needed to get some things now, and this was the best time for her to go.
Theyd had good luck so far, Jenna thought, as she maneuvered through the crowded market lanes. Along with the baby clothes, shed bought towels and bedsheets for a steal. They had factory flaws that werent even noticeable. Now she needed a desk lamp. Shed spotted one priced at two dollars. The same one in the store was going for fifteen.
Caleb was starting to fuss. Jenna needed to feed him but wanted to get the lamp first. She was trying to recall the row where the lamp was when she felt the first raindrop.
Then a wind kicked up some papers and dirt. Vendors began throwing tarps and plastic sheets over their wares, others unrolled canvas walls. Jenna unfolded the canopy on Calebs stroller, got Cassie into her rain jacket and opened her umbrella just as the downpour started.
Hunched against the rain they hurried to take cover under the tent roof of a large picnic area. They crammed in with other shoppers just as hail in golf-ball-sized chunks smashed into the ground, pelting the roof with such ferocity Jenna feared it would tear through.
Mommy Im scared! Cassie slid her arms around her.
Jenna pulled her closer and tightened her grip on her stroller. She bit her lip watching the storm and lightning, regretting not leaving earlier.
Mommy, I want to go home!
Me, too, honey. Itll stop soon. Then well get you a cookie, Ill feed Caleb and well go home, okay?
Jenna felt Cassies little face nodding against her as the hail relented.
What! Baby, I cant hear you!
Jennas head snapped to a man in the gathered crowd with his cell phone pressed to his ear. Baby!
Others under the canopy turned to a woman as she said, For real? into her cell phone.
Baby. The man was staring helplessly at the sky, then at his phone. I cant hear you! Then to the rest of the group he said, My wifes east of Lancaster. She said a tornado hit, then her phone died. He flipped up his hood. I gotta find her. Yall better take cover!
As if on cue, a siren wailed. Jenna knew that sound. The city had about a hundred warning sirens throughout Dallas and tested them once a month.
Only this one was not a test.
The steady signal was an alert to seek immediate shelter.
Mommy!
Jenna was transfixed.
A massive wall of black cloud in the shape of a wedge had suddenly risen in the west where the sky had turned an otherworldly shade of green. All the saliva in Jennas mouth suddenly evaporated as she fought to contain the wave of panic rising in her gut.
My God! an old man said, adjusting his glasses as he pointed to the sky. Thats a school bus spinning up there, hundreds of feet in the air!
Crushing Cassie to her, Jenna whispered a prayer.
2
Wildhorse Heights, Texas
Jennas heart was racing.
Numbed by disbelief, she stared through the rain at the towering wall of black cloud swirling toward the market.
Vendors were scrambling to protect their goods; people hurried in all directions. The sirens cry underscored the panic vibrating among those huddled under the tent; some ran off to the nearest building. Horns blared.
Beyond the rows of tables, Jenna saw the cars gridlocked in a futile struggle to leave. She calculated her chances of getting her children to their car in the distant parking lot before the storm hit.
We wont make it in time.
Mommy! Cassie covered her ears with her hands. I want to go, Mommy! Im scared!
Caleb was crying.
We have to find a safe place, now!
The nearest building was their best hope. Shed keep Caleb in his stroller; that way she could move faster with the kids. Quickly, she tightened the straps holding him, then she hoisted Cassie onto her hip, carrying her with one arm while steering Calebs stroller with her free hand.
As they headed into the rain, the tent canopy blew away behind them.
Hang on to me, Cassie!
Jenna bent against the wind, determined to make it to the building some forty yards off. She saw the scores of people clogging the entrance and prayed that she could get her children inside.
Theres no turning back, nowhere else to go.
Items from the market started shooting through the air around them, a lawn chair, a bookcase and a folding table, ricocheting off the ground, trees and structures.
Above the siren and all the noise Jenna heard a scream, turned and saw an older man knocked down by a flying piece of lumber. People whod stopped to help him were suddenly in the path of a large Dumpster, tumbling at top speed before it hit them like they were bowling pins.