Palisha is trembling, and her legs are like jelly. She’s standing outside the hotel in the parking lot among the rattled guests who are milling around aimlessly. Everywhere she looks there’s chaos and damaged buildings. Many of the buildings have collapsed or are teetering to one side. Her hotel has withstood the earthquake, but whether it’s safe to go inside, she doesn’t know.
In the distance, she hears sirens blaring with the rise and fall of frightened voices all around her. Everyone is terrified, waiting for the next jolt to come. She tries to think, but her head is a solid block of confusion. Then suddenly, her phone chimes in her pocket. She flinches, then pulls it out to sees her parents’ number flashing on the screen. When she answers, her father’s ragged voice streams out.
“Are
