#nr31

Everyone just stood frozen, staring at the scene in front of them.  

“What the hell happened here?” Sam asked.

“Earthquake” Jason said softly “The one from last night...”

“You’re right” Sam said “Heard about it this morning”

“This is crazy” Roland said quietly “Disaster Zone”.

“We should get to work” Mike said, biting his lip.

Jason nodded.  “Sam, Roland...  You’re with me” he said “Mike, Alex, Clover...  You guys meet up with the rescue team” 

“Alright” everyone said and split up.  

“Let’s go” Jason said and started walking towards the rubble.

Jason’s group, helped the rescue teams, on the one side of the disaster zone, while the others helped with the coordination.  

After hours and hours of work, they finally took a break.

Jason sank down on the ground.  His hands were shaking and there was a panful throbbing in his head.  

Sam sat down next to him, resting her head against his shoulder.  “Are you alright, Jay?” she asked, looking up at him “You look a bit pale.  Did you hurt yourself?”

“No...  Promise I haven’t” Jason said softly.  

A tremble went through the ground.  Jason shot to his feet.  “EARTHQUAKE!” he called out.

Chaos erupted around them.  

Jason and Sam ran forward.  His attention snapped to one of the buildings.  Before any of them could say a word, he shot towards the building.  As he dodged into the house, the building crumbled behind him.  

He ignored the shaking beneath his feet.  

As soon as he reached the little boy, he grabbed him and rolled beneath the table.  A thundering sounded through the building as everything started coming down around them.  

The little boy sobbed into Jason’s dirty shirt.  

“It’s alright...” Jason said, just holding the boy “Just hold on a little longer...  We’ll get out of here...”

When the trembling finally stopped, Jason just breathed out.  “There we go, Kiddo” Jason said as he released his grip on the boy “Are you alright?”

The little boy nodded, still clinging to Jason.  

Jason closed his eyes for a moment as he rubbed the boy’s back.  He did his best not to focus on the rubble that had the two of them trapped under the table.  

“Hey, Kiddo” Jason said “What’s your name?  I’m Jason”

The boy looked up at Jason.  “Michael” 

“Nice to meet you, Michael” Jason said, rubbing the boy’s back “Don’t worry...  One of the rescue teams will get us out of here”

Michael nodded.   

Jason could feel his breathing starting to become a bit erratic.  It felt like the rubble was closing in from every side.  He could feel his chest tightening, as he struggled to stay calm.  

“J... Jason...” the boy said “Are...  Are you alright?”

“I don’t.... like small spaces” Jason said.

Michael nodded.  “That’s alright...  I don’t light heights” he said.