Carmine (Rage MC: The Prospects #7)

Chapter Ten.

Carmine

A lert and eyes peeled, I was following Molly to the pond where I first met her. It was nine-tenths of the way up the east-facing side of Buzzard’s Roost. Molly was setting a fine pace up Buzzard’s Roost Trailhead. Our target was the mountain in front of us. Molly’s entire body vibrated with excitement and trepidation. This was it. The culmination of a decade’s work and three years of sheer misery. Hard to believe that yesterday, we were giving an interview, and now we were chasing a lava flow.

Molly seemed to think the eruption point was our pond and had grabbed some to-go bags, and I guessed she was planning on camping here. The level of acceleration was a huge concern for Susan and Molly, and they’d had their heads together for an hour before Molly left. Molly had confirmed the call on evacuating the at-risk areas, and now search and rescue was doing so. The trails to the Black Hills had been closed, and search and rescue were scouring the area for any hikers.

Against the mayor’s wishes, Chief Howser had alerted the media to keep people away. The RCPD was out in force, helping evacuate and keep the public calm. Molly couldn’t believe the number of people who came to assist. The command centre was also in the process of relocating. If Molly’s predictions were correct, then it was in the path of the flow.

“Carmine!” Molly shouted as we reached the pond.

“What’s up, sweet girl?”

“We’ll set up camp here. It should be safe,” Molly announced, glancing around.

Her eyes caught on something, and her gaze narrowed.

“That wasn’t there before,” Molly muttered.

Before I could call a warning, Molly scrambled down from the rock she’d been standing on and rushed over to the water.

I watched, confused, as Molly started muttering under her breath and came back for a trowel. She scraped at the ground and then leapt away.

“Fuck! Carmine, I was right!” Molly cried. A glow came from the ground she’d just exposed.

“What’s that?” I asked as the pond began to bubble. Damn, I recognised that sign.

“That’s lava,” Molly exclaimed. “The magma has forced a fissure open, like I said. And it’s going to grow.”

Molly grabbed a camera and started snapping pictures. Meanwhile, I kept an eye on the water.

“Molly!” I cried out in warning and tackled her just as water exploded everywhere. I experienced stinging burns on my arms, and Molly let out her own pained cry. Quickly, I rolled us away as a quake hit. This was stronger than any I’d experienced before, and I heard a loud crack. A whistle rent the air, tortured and shrill, and I laid on top of Molly and covered my head.

Booms sounded from the ground as it shook underneath us, and the cracking noise continued. A whoosh that deafened me came from close by, and I curled around Molly, terrified out of my brain. Several dull bangs echoed. Although they were probably loud, I was deafened by everything else going crazy. Stones and debris hit my body with the force of bullets, and I knew my skin had broken open in some places.

A scream appeared to come from the earth itself, as it seemed like the ground was being ripped in two. Despite the quake coming to an end, there was still a sensation of the ground in motion, accompanied by a ripping sound. Loud noises came from the ground, and I knew deep down Molly’s theory had happened. Aurora’s vision of lava running through the street of RC was coming true.

“Up! Up!” Molly screamed as the shaking stopped, and I wondered what the hell had just broken loose. Molly kept yanking on me, and I raised my head.

In front of us, about half a mile up, a crack had appeared in the rock face. And from that slowly flowed a bright orange glowing stream filled with black rocks that glowed themselves. A dark cloud wafted above it, but nothing like I’d seen above a volcano before.

“Carmine, we have to move! Now!” Molly screamed as she scrambled to her feet. “The flow is heading for us!”

That got my ass in gear. I was up and running in the blink of an eye, tugging Molly with me. Molly yanked me to a stop, grabbed some equipment and her camera, and we ran for our lives. The jeep had been parked half a mile away, but knowing what was behind us had our asses moving quicker than usual.

Frantically, we hit the car, and I jumped into the driver’s seat as Molly swung into the passenger’s side. Molly twisted in her chair as I sped away, my wheels kicking up dirt.

“What are you doing?” I demanded.

“Judging the speed of the flow, it looks to me around ten miles per hour or less. It’s moving slow, which gives us time, I’m also seeing where it’s going,” she called over her shoulder.

Molly pulled a map out and began marking the route the lava was taking. Yanking out her sat phone, Molly punched in a number.

“This is Dr Jones-White,” Susan answered.

“Susan, the laccolith has split open, lava is flowing down Buzzard’s Roost,” Molly babbled.

“We guessed something had happened, and we heard the noise from here. Nobody could have missed it. Do we have a route?”

“Yeah, judging from the map, the lava flow is travelling east. The flow will intercept Falling Rock Road and continue towards Shanks Gulch, and hit Rapid Creek. From there, I can only hope it follows the Creek down to Canyon Lake.”

“Heading straight for where the command centre was,” Susan confirmed.

“Yes. Shit, I can’t believe this is happening. There wasn’t an eruption like a volcano, but the ground split as the lava sought a release. Susan, I’ve not witnessed anything like this before,” Molly exclaimed.

“I’m sure you haven’t. Rivers of lava exist, but the floor splitting open on a laccolith? No. Impossible, but yet it’s transpiring. Molly, I noticed a cloud, but not a pyroclastic one,” Susan said.

“When the ground tore open, there was flying debris which flung dust and the usual culprits into the air. However, that was more about the ground splitting open than a cloud caused by a magma blast. The magma… oozed… is the best word… from the ground. I think there’s a chamber under the laccolith, which has laid dormant. The quakes shoved it upwards, closing down the space it had to flow. And when the quakes continued squeezing the magma, it was forced up through fissures until the last quake broke the surface,” Molly babbled excitedly.

“Highly likely. I doubt the earthquakes were from the fault lines but where the magma pushed back,” Susan mused.

“I agree.”

“Molly, come straight to the command post; you’re needed here.”

“Okay,” Molly said and cut the call.

“Did you hear that?” she asked as I sped down the trail.

“Yes. Molly, how close is the lava?”

“Not close. Carmine, we’re good, but it’s headed in a different direction than I thought. I imagined the weak spot would be the north-east face, and it would head towards the Black Hill Caves and then Nameless Cave Road. I was wrong. Even though the entry point to Rapid City remains the same, the route is different.”

“Luckily, you decided, and the streets and homes near the SD-44 have been evacuated. I don’t think we’d have had time if you hadn’t made that call. Shit’s happening quicker than I expected,” I said.

“Lava can move much faster. I expect to see a slow, steady stream, but I was right, Carmine. The laccolith was active. A one in a billion shot. Damn, my theory is correct,” Molly exclaimed as we hit Jackson Blvd and headed towards the new centre.

The fallback point had been a school off of Sioux San Drive. The search and rescue team had also gone there. Rapid City was once more in a state of emergency.

Molly

I exited the car before Carmine stopped. Carmine let loose a dry chuckle as I dashed into the school and ran towards the command centre. Susan directed people on one side while the Search and Rescue group issued orders from the other.

“What’s the status?” I asked Susan, hurrying over to her.

“We have called for a helicopter to monitor the flow, and our teams are evacuating the surrounding area and heading here. We’ve got footage coming in from the cameras and the explosion was nothing like we’ve ever seen before. Not so much an eruption but a split in the earth, just as you mentioned. I can’t believe you were at the eruption point.”

“Susan, I filmed it as it happened,” I replied.

“Trust me, I want to watch that soon. First, let’s set up,” Susan suggested.

Everyone was rushing around as they kept checking for up-to-date data.

“Where do you need me?” I asked.

“With me for now. We have a press conference being set up. Naturally, the moment Buzzard’s Roost went active, the media blew up. Get ready, Molly, because this just made your career. You were right. There was volcanic activity, and we’re witnessing a never seen before event. Take the credit heading your way,” Susan said and disappeared as someone called her.

Carmine

“Where do you need me?” I asked Axel as I donned protective gear and kitted up. Axel glanced at a list.

“Gunner’s team. He’s not left yet. Go find him,” Axel boomed before turning his attention back to the laptop in front of him.

Ready, I looked around for Gunner and finally spotted him. With Gunner was Bobby Lucas from the RCPD, another officer, Savage, Lex, a fireman I didn’t know, and a dog handler.

“There you are. Let me check your kit,” Gunner said as I rolled up. I stood still as Gunner completed his checks and gave me an approving nod.

“We’re heading here, Sheridan Lake Road and evacuating that, Teepe Street, Lodge Street, and Arrow Street. Don’t let the residents argue. Most will wish to load cars and whatnot. They don’t have time. The priority is to get them out and onto the buses accompanying us and into hotels. They cannot drive their personal vehicles because they’d block the roads and cause casualties. We have two police officers with us. If you need help, radio for them. Let’s get the job done,” Gunner said as he showed a map.

“What about pets?” Savage asked.

“They can take them, but you don’t have time to search for Fluffy if she’s not home. She will have to save herself,” Gunner replied. “Our priority is getting people safe. Chief Howser is using the emergency broadcast and telling the public to wait for collection from the police and search and rescue. If someone doesn’t answer their front door, kick it in. There might be a disabled or elderly person inside or a kid. Check each house thoroughly. Let’s go because every minute we talk here, that lava gets closer.”

I sent a glance over my shoulder at Molly, but she was lost in a report she was reading. With no time to bid goodbye, I rushed after Gunner.

◆◆◆

“Ma’am, you can’t take the car. We’re trying to keep the streets clear so people can escape. If everyone took their car, the roads would be clogged, and people would die. Now I’m done arguing; get your ass down the street and onto the bus,” I snapped at a stuck-up woman. “Or is your BMW worth your life and someone else’s? Decide quickly. There are other houses to check.

“How rude! I’m taking my car!” she snarled.

Fuck this, I was done. Fed up, I grabbed the keys and threw them down a drain.

“You’ll pay for that!” she screamed.

“The bus is there. Get your ass on it. Your entire attitude is risking someone’s life. Move, or I’ll have an officer arrest you,” I warned.

“Carmine, go, I’ve got this. Ma’am, you’ve been told. We are keeping the streets clear for emergency vehicles. Now, you’re causing an obstruction. Either get on of your free will, or I will detain you,” Bobby Lucas said, approaching.

“Well, I never!” the idiotic woman exclaimed, but I was moving onto the next house.

“Lava flow has reached Chapel Lane, everyone needs to hurry,” Axel’s voice came over the radio.

I sped up and knocked at another home. Luckily, the elderly couple were already heading out, and I pointed them in the direction of the bus. Once I had checked their house over, I moved on to the following one. Today was going to be a long day.

Molly

I hadn’t seen Carmine leave and felt guilty over it. He had a job, like I did. After the interview with Susan, I was now back monitoring the incoming data.

“Freaking idiots!” somebody exclaimed, and I looked up and saw everyone watching a TV monitor.

“Always after a story, they don’t care whose life they risk,” Phoe said, tutting as she approached me.

“Turn the sound up,” someone called.

“… After being told by Dr White, head of the GS and by Dr’s Balfour and Balfour-Cherlyn That Dr Molly Balfour-Cherlyn was a crank. They assured us that there couldn’t possibly be volcanic activity in South Dakota, yet we bring you these amazing images. Lava is running down Buzzards Roost in the Black Hills. It appears to be slow-moving but is heading directly for Rapid City.

“On a side note, psychic Aurora-Victoria’s rumoured predictions for this event remain unconfirmed. In addition, shamed volcanologist Dr Molly Balfour-Cherlyn, who claimed this would happen, has been vindicated. This is something nobody ever would’ve believed could possibly happen. Lava running through the Black Hills.

“One has to guess that Dr Molly Balfour-Cherlyn must feel pretty good about herself right now. And as we pan out, you can see the lava and the path it’s taken. So far it has claimed several roads and buildings despite it not being wider. We’ve been informed that this is a narrow flow. But concerns are that this eruption might run for days,” a reporter was saying as they flew over the fissure where lava was coming from.

As the journalist continued talking, a megaphone interrupted them, with law enforcement ordering them to depart the area. The helicopter swerved, and we caught a glimpse of the police chopper before the news copter flew away.

“Was the risk worth it for an exclusive?” I wondered.

Phoe shook her head.

“Lord knows. They are such idiots. Hello dear, I promised Carmine I’d check on you and make sure you’ve eaten,” Phoe said, holding out a plate.

I didn’t remember when I last ate, but my stomach clearly did. It growled loudly. Phoe laughed and handed it to me.

Hungrily, I bit into a sandwich and sighed. I was starving and hadn’t realised.

“Is Carmine okay?” I asked between bites.

“Yes. Rapid City, under attack from lava, has knocked you two clean off the headlines,” Phoe said with a smile.

“That wasn’t what I meant.”

“I know. Carmine’s fine. He’s out doing what he has been trained to do. All of Rage are taught search and rescue. That’s a requirement for joining. Carmine is perfectly safe and with Gunner and Savage. Axel is monitoring the teams with the police liaison. Should anything happen, we’d be told pretty quickly,” Phoe replied.

“That’s reassuring.”

“How are you feeling? That was quite a raw interview with Lara,” Phoe asked.

“Honestly, I’ve not really had a chance to sit down and rethink it. I just hope they leave Carmine alone now.”

“Not you?”

With some bitterness, I laughed. “There’s lava running down the Black Hills in South Dakota. Guess I’m not a crank or a nut after all. That there is my vindication. But if they’d listened three years ago, who knows what we might have accomplished? Small actions like redirecting water can make a difference, but it’s too late. We possibly might have changed the course of the flow.”

Sadly, I shook my head.

“And all because people said it couldn’t happen,” Phoe agreed.

“There’ll be so much lost, people’s lives will be devastated. I’m furious with Dr White and everyone else who laughed at me. They’re not here seeing this.”

“That makes you a good person, Molly.”

“And an angry one, too,” I replied.

I stared at the TV. It was showing images of homes being buried in lava and burning. That was someone’s home, their entire life, and it was destroyed. They could rebuild, but the precious items they kept there, mementos, pictures, memories, were all gone now. Burned away by a slow-moving stream that couldn’t be stopped.

“Yes, I’m most definitely angry at the injustice of this. We could have save people a great deal of pain and misery. But I can’t change the past,” I replied.

“What would happen to lava when rain touches it?” Phoe asked.

That was a strange question. “Sorry?”

“If rain hits lava, what happens?”

“Normal rain flow would evaporate. The lava is that hot it would just turn to vapour. But in the case of a big storm, it would cool the lava. It wouldn’t stop it, but it would cool the surface down, which would bring its own problems,” I answered.

“What issues?” Phoe inquired.

“Well, with the outer layer hardened, the lava needs somewhere to go. It would either go over the top or find weak areas and break out in different directions. That means a narrow swathe of lava could suddenly become much wider and more dangerous.”

“Houston, we have a problem,” Phoe muttered as she looked at her phone.

“What?”

“There’s a huge storm predicted tomorrow night. Will the lava have stopped flowing?”

“Hate to say it, Phoenix, but I’ve got no idea. We’ve no clue how big the magma chamber is or how much it needs to expel. This could end in the next ten minutes or carry on for days. Because we only had basic information and we didn’t get to run detailed scans, we’re flying blind,” I replied.

“The storm isn’t the boon I expected?” Phoe asked.

“No. Not at all. It’s going to cause more trouble unless the flow stops.”

“Susan said it has slowed down,” Phoe pointed out.

“Yes, we reckon it’s moving at about five miles an hour. Which makes me believe that there isn’t a big a magma chamber to empty. Otherwise, it would be travelling much faster. This gives me hope it won’t run too long and should hopefully be stopped when this storm hits.”

“There’s always hope.”

“A futile thing, but yes, Phoe, there is,” I agreed and shoved a sandwich in my mouth. There was a lot of work to do.

◆◆◆

I was vaguely aware of someone lifting me up and carrying me. Somehow, I’d fallen asleep at my desk. Tiredly, I opened my eyes, spied Carmine, and closed them again. He laid me down on something soft, undressed from his protective gear, before climbing in beside me.

“Sorry babe, I stink, but I’m too tired to shower,” Carmine said, yawning and within seconds, he was snoring lightly. I yawned myself and snuggled into him.

I didn’t care that he smelt of smoke and sulphur. Carmine was safe—and here. That’s all I needed.