The wind shook the ATV, but Brock still pushed the small vehicle to its limits, hoping to outrun death. He could feel rocks hitting his back painfully, yet he concentrated on the fence as it loomed in the lights of the ATV.

They shot through the gate, then past the outer fence without pause, the wind destroying the old security measure as they dropped into the ditch facing the highway, then flew into the air above the westbound lanes.

Paulie watched a truck lock its brakes to avoid the ATV, then swerve when the driver lost control of his load. The lights from cars danced wildly as they too saw the danger too late.

The ATV bounded into the grass median, then flew once more over the eastbound lanes.

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Plunging down the far side of the highway, the ATV caught on the rutted watercourse at the base of the slope, pitching both men into the air.

The roar sounded like Niagara Falls. With a shaking hand, Mark opened the trailer door and saw the wind burst out of the draw. There was no time to react before all the trailers and equipment were flattened by the winds and blown onto the highway.

‘Scared to Death’ ceased to exist.

Above the valley, a luminous ball of phantom flames boiled up to clear away the cloud. Cars on the highway lost control as the drivers stared in amazement at the enormous explosion. Miles away, Father Doran watched his memory come to life, then bowed his head and continued to pray.

The pressure in the valley decreased as wind emptied from the cloud, then stopped entirely. The ball of flames rose skyward, then dissipated, leaving only moonlight illuminating the devastation.

Through the pain, Cal looked at Bob and knew they had survived.