Ch. 1
Turkey Quake
ROSE was busy in the museum’s basement. She was in Barcelona, Spain, where she was writing a research paper on a Roman villa. She had taken pictures first before starting to write up notes on what she saw. She was not the only one there.
She was in the middle of writing something down. When a beep came on her phone, it was not just her phone. She glanced down. An emergency warning popped up.
NATURAL DISASTER HAS BEEN ISSUED IN YOUR AREA!
Rose glanced around with a hint of worry. But she had training. Everyone else around her, not so much. She used her phone, found a translator, and started talking. “Everyone, I know this is a scary moment. But please, this is important.”
She had gotten everyone’s attention. “Now, please. Take a deep breath. And follow me, remember. Nothing has happened yet.”
“Wait,” a voice called out. “Why should we listen to you,” a local man went on to say.
Rose had taken a deep breath. “I took a lot of different types of first aid and prepared for disaster situations.” She informed them, looking at each one of them. “Has anyone else had similar training,” she asked.
No one else had raised their hands. Luckily, there were only seven other people. She made a sign for them to follow her. Going up, away from the basement, as it was a dangerous place to be in. The man from before rushed up beside her. “If something happens, what should we do?”
“Arches,” Rose pointed at the big archways. Each one divided the museum. “The arches will hold the most weight. The open spaces will get you killed. Until we get outdoors.” She had gotten everyone up to the next floor.
Everyone looked pale because everyone was playing with different thoughts in their heads. Rose had hers going, with different medical thoughts. What would she need to do if she had to help some of the people around her? She was interrupted from her thoughts by the man from before. “Sorry about my questions; my name is John.”
“Rose.”
As Rose looked at her phone for her update. She showed John, who was next to her and noticed the surprised look in his eyes. “Yes,” she stated, harshly. The warning came from Turkey. About a massive earthquake from big platonic plates that were under Turkey.
“Every few years, Turkey will wake up and start again.” John glanced up. He then took over her phone and tapped another part of the map. “Here too.”
“Italy,” Rose asked. She glanced up with worry in her eyes. Before looking towards the east, “I have a bad feeling.”
“If something happens, stay close to the arches,” stressed Rose, letting the adults know, without alarming the children. “There may be something big coming our way. I don’t want the children to be afraid. But you should be prepared for what could be a possibility.”
Just as they were about to turn to make their way to the main doors. They felt a great big shake. Causing many to either fall or grab onto the walls. Or simply, onto each other. In Rose’s case, John had lightly tackled her to the floor. He got her under the arch, using his body as a shield. Covering his head, while he was also trying to protect his head.
Once the quake had stopped, Rose noticed how bad the structure damage was. The ceiling was about to fall at any moment. Everyone was working on trying to get themselves off the floor. Rose, with the aid of John, got her up onto her feet, just as pieces of the museum had rained down around them.
It was then everyone had started to move again. This time, towards the main doors. As Rose was about to move, she felt John’s hand on her lower back. She didn’t bother to say anything. Not when it was comforting to know that someone was there.
Ch. 2
Italy Quake
JOHN asked Rose if she wanted to be with him, after the shock of the day. She nodded her head in agreement. He led her to a Jeep Wrangler and helped her into the passenger seat. “Rosa,” he asked.
“Yes,” she squeaked out.
His right eyebrow went up. “Are you alright,” asked John. “What were you doing at the museum?”
“I am working on my theory,” sighed Rose. “I am what you call, a hobby archeologist. Sense I carry no degree. I am here to show them that my theories are founded.”
She glanced at John, “What about you?”
“I am a local translator, Spanish-born,” he smiled. He kicked the Jeep into gear, watching for the road, as there were cracks and debris.
“How do you know English,” she asked in a hurry.
“I learned from watching American movies.” He gave her a sheepish smile, as he gave her a quick look. “It took a while to understand, but it was fun while doing it.”
Rose gaped at him in shock, “Really?” She could not believe her ears and remembered a lot of movies to name. “Which movies do you remember the most,” she asked softly.
“I am into a lot of mysteries and war movies,” supplied John. “I also like fantasy, such as Star Wars,” he smiled.
“I am into Star Wars too,” Rose smiled wholeheartedly. “Since Harrison Ford is in Star Wars. Indiana Jones was the reason why I wanted to be an archeologist. I love history.”
John laughed, “I can see that. Are you the type to question everything that was taught?” He turned the Jeep to the right and stopped. “Welcome to my home…”
As Rose pulled herself out of the Wrangler. She glanced up and saw the classic-looking Spanish home. An orange-red plaster look, but still looks airy and clean. “What a classic house.”
“Thanks,” replied John. “I am going to have to check for damages before we go in.”
Rose followed John around the sound structure of the house. As they walked, Rose asked, “John, is there a builder under us?”
He chuckled, “Yes, my father found ways to cut corners. He found a flat rock and built a house on top of it.” They had found no damages. John allowed them inside. He then locked the house back up and tossed the keys onto a side table, “I could make us some dinner.”
“Okay,” she replied softly. Rose glanced around the house, seeing a few paintings of landscapes of Spain. As well as some Spartan furniture and a few light fixtures. Mixtures of white, red, and maybe turquoise. With hints of gold to tie them together.
“Nice place.” Following him into the kitchen. She found a stool and sat down to watch him. Rose didn’t want to be alone. After the earthquake at the museum.
As she was mentally gone within herself. She barely heard anything being cooked or the smells, not until it was served before her. She blinked a couple of times. Until she registered a bowl of hers. It was full of salad, olives, hot-cooked chicken, croutons, and other things. Along with olive oil.
“Thank you, John,” she spoke softly. Before taking a bite, “Mmmm,” she hummed in delight. She could not help the sound that came out.
He sat down next to her, giving off a soft deep rumble of a chuckle. “I am glad that you are enjoying yourself, Vida.”
The two quietly enjoyed eating their food. Sitting near each other. After they ate. They carried their dishes to the sink and John told them to leave them for the next day. Before Rose suggested anything, John wrapped his arm around her waist and gently brought her closer to him.
“Please,” he begged softly. Causing her to look into his eyes, his brown whiskey eyes. “I need you close…”
Rose nodded her head. “Yesss,” she breathed out softly. If she was honest with herself, she needed him too. Out of necessity, out of survival. Their hands laced together and she followed him up the stairs.
Once up the stairs, she was a little shaky, but he led her into a bedroom. It was a massive bedroom. Making her think it was a master bedroom. He let her hand go, then opened the door and went through some clothes, before he came back with a shirt in hand. “Here, you can use this as a nightshirt.”
Rose gave him a kind smile before she went and found a bathroom. She changed into a shirt and left her clothes in a small pile. Before going back into the master bedroom, finding John in bed, in ratty but clean, workout short-set clothes. Rose slowly made her way towards the bed. Before she sat down, only to turn and snuggle up to John as she lay down.
She felt his arm around her, only to let out a sigh of contentment. She felt him nudge her, bringing her closer. Where her head laid over his heart. Where the two were more comfortable. Just before, two of his fingers made their way under her chin, making her lift her head.
Their eyes met before she felt his lips molded with hers. “Mmmm.” Before he rolled them over and fit between her legs, she felt something poking in his clothes. As it was poking at her knee. She pulled away from the kiss, “Only kissing…”
John looked hurt, “I thought…”
“Just for now,” Rose hoped he would understand. She smiled at him. “I do want us to be more, John. More than just a night.”
He gave her a warm smile in return. “More than a night,” he echoed. “I understand.” He continued kissing her, but more calmly. After a couple more minutes. He moved a little lower and laid his head down on her belly, which Rose found oddly comfortable.
That was where the two had fallen asleep. In each other’s arms.
0300
WARNING!! ITALY HAS SUFFERED A MASSIVE QUAKE!! BOLOGNA, ANCONA, ROME, AND ALL BETWEEN…!!
Rose blinked a couple of times. She glanced down. Seeing John, where he had fallen asleep, a couple of hours before. A smile graced her lips when the world around her shook, very violently.
Waking John, as his arms snaked around her, bringing her closer. “Yo te protegeré mi amor,” his deep voice grumbled near her ear. After a while, it stopped. John pulled away to look into her eyes. “Come, we need to get dressed.”
Rose nodded her head and, with his help, she was able to leave on shaky legs.
Ch. 3
Tsunami
AFTER John and Rose had left his house, they found his neighborhood in disarray. The two didn’t know what to do.
John took her hand and led her back into the Jeep. “Come on love, we can’t help everyone.” Once they were back inside the Wrangler. His vehicle roared to life, “Now, where to?!”
“High ground!” Rose turned to look at him. “We have to go higher.” Her heart skipped, just as a spark came across his eyes. “Something bigger…is coming.” An ice-cold feeling dropped down into her stomach.
John leaned over and gave her a quick deep kiss. “I trust you,” then drove the Jeep towards the top of the steep slope. Rose grabbed onto whatever she could since the road started to become rough and bumpy. “Grr.” John reached down and switched to a leaver before the wheels started to move again. “Just a Sunday drive,” he commented easily.
Rose blinked, “I can’t believe you can just say that so… casually.” She glanced at what he was driving on top of. “Is this an old stream?”
“Si,” he replied softly. Hearing him shift the Jeep into another gear. “Dried up, ten years ago, and has not filled up.” He drove on, faster than before.
John then slowed down the Jeep and turned on the switchback. Causing it to rattle hard. “Here we are,” he pointed up ahead. “Sant Medir.”
Once they had exited the Jeep. John wrapped her up in his arms. She was instantly relaxed, as her arms made their home around him.
“VENIR,” (come) causing Rose to look up. Only to see a priest, waving his arm for them to hurry. John grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the church. The man had just shoved the door behind them and bolted the door. The man made the sign of the cross, “Lord, protect us.”
It was then that they felt another quake. It was stronger and much closer than others had been. John grabbed onto her. Wrapping her up, protecting her.
“Father, who art in Heaven…” The priest prayed nearby.
Rose closed her eyes. She was holding onto John, as tears rolled down her cheeks. His lips were near her ear. “Marry me, when we survive.”
She pulled away to look into his eyes. “You’re serious,” she asked softly. All she got was his determination. But she nodded her head, “Yes.” Her voice had whispered, “I will marry you.”
His lips pulled out, “Thanks.”
The shaking intensified and the priest kept on praying.
The lovers held onto each other. Just as their phones came alive, this time there was no voice, only the underwater maps. Showing underwater plates collapsing, just northwest, breaking Italy from Europe. As well as northern Africa, as it fell into the sea. They saw the image change as the sea was being pulled back.
Rose pushed the two cellphones away, with tears in her eyes. Shaking her head no. “I don’t want to know.” She pulled herself closer to John and kissed him hard. Which he responded with just as much heat.
A few moments into the kiss. A roar came rushing towards the ancient church. John and Rose had stopped their kissing, only to hold onto one another. They looked at one another, only to hear the sound of the surf hitting just below the church’s lower steps. The three within looked at one another, and made their way towards the door.
The priest had opened the door and they looked outside. Rose was beside herself in disbelief. The waters never reached the church. They were safe.
The priest looked at John and Rose with a loving smile. “I could marry the two of you,” in his thick French accent.
“Yes please,” John spoke up in a hurry. His eyes glowed with happiness and joy.
Rose smiled a true smile. “Yes.” She glanced up and went over to see what it was. She went over and picked it up. It was a set of matching Celtic cross necklaces. Each is embedded with diamonds and emeralds.
John asked, “Have you seen these before, Padra?”
“No, the lord works in mysterious ways…” Waving for the two to follow him back inside the church.
Rose wanted to argue. But she wanted to focus on her future instead. There was enough death and gore for her liking for a few days. Only to step inside the church.
“What is your last name,” asked Rose.
“Aragón.”
“Oh,” she gasped. Realizing it was the name of one of the ancient kings of Spain. With a smile on her lips. She didn’t care. She loved John.
THE END
