Ashes of Yesterday Chapter 2

Last time, she hadn't believed me either. But I had torn up her plane ticket, smashed things, and physically stopped her from leaving. I drove her to her hometown, and we not only convinced her parents to evacuate but saved the entire town.

Not long after, the news came: Sean was lost at sea.

Layla had seemed utterly calm, showing no reaction at all.

Who knew she was already plotting my death?

After she left, I started packing. Half an hour ago, I had filed a formal report on the situation in Stone Creek with my superiors. Now, I just needed to drive there and get Layla's parents. They were my in-laws; I couldn't just leave them to die.

I hadn't even pulled out of the parking lot when my phone rang. It was Director Miller, the head of our center.

"Ryan, I hear you just submitted a predictive report?"

"Yes, Director. Is there a problem?"

His tone turned grave. "Is there a problem? Ryan, you've been with the center for years. How have you not learned anything?"

"How could you fabricate a seismic event just to interfere with Layla's social life? Do you have any idea how illegal that is?"

I understood immediately. Layla was Miller's protégé. They must have spoken. They both thought I was lying, putting on a show.

"Director, I'm serious," I said urgently. "There is a one hundred percent chance of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Stone Creek at ten tonight! You have to—"

He cut me off, his tone unyielding. "That's enough. I've already retracted your report. Ryan, your professional conduct is seriously in question. Don't bother coming in for the next few days. Stay home and think about what you've done."

"I can't believe how unreliable you are. If I had known, I never would have set the two of you up!"

His righteous indignation was so powerful that if I hadn't lived through the event myself, I might have doubted my own data.

I hesitated, then hung up and called his superior.

To my shock, the man didn't even let me speak.

"You're Ryan, correct? Director Miller just briefed me on your situation."

"I used to think you were a solid, hardworking young man. What you did today is astounding. I don't think you're suited for this line of work anymore. You should look for opportunities elsewhere."

He hung up. I sat there, stunned.

I couldn't believe it. In this new life, I’d already lost my job.

But there was no time to dwell on that. It was 6:00 PM. The earthquake was in four hours. I had work to do.

I called Layla's parents. Her father answered.

"What? An earthquake? Ryan, are you kidding me? This town hasn't had a quake in eight hundred years!"

"Where's Layla? Let me talk to Layla."

I took a deep breath. "Layla went on a trip with her college friend. Dad, I'm not kidding. There is going to be an earthquake in Stone Creek at ten tonight. You have to listen to me. Tell the mayor, get everyone to evacuate now!"

"Don't you worry," he said immediately. "A matter of life and death, I'll get it done!"

Two hours later, I arrived in Stone Creek.

There were still two hours until the quake, but the streets were bustling. No one seemed to have a shred of urgency.

What was going on? I told my father-in-law to inform the mayor. Why hadn't an evacuation been ordered?

Time was running out. I called him again as I rushed toward the mayor's house.

It turned out my father-in-law was there, drinking with the mayor.

"Dad, what are you doing? The earthquake is coming! Why haven't you evacuated?!" I demanded.

The mayor gave me a slow, lazy look, then turned to my father-in-law. "So this is your son-in-law? He looks presentable enough, but his character seems questionable. Lying to people about something like this."

My father-in-law walked over and kicked me hard in the shin.

"Ryan! You're a grown man! How can you make up such lies?"

"If I hadn't called Layla, I might have actually believed your nonsense and made the whole town run around for nothing! Can you imagine the gossip?"