Evelyn seemed to be moving toward a new life - one that didn't include him . The truth hit harder than any hail of bullets he'd ever faced , filling him with despair and a fear that gnawed at his core . He felt like a caged beast , seeing the light of escape yet trapped by the bars he'd built himself , tormented by endless agony . This silent , grueling tug - of - war had stripped him of the last remnants of sharpness and pride , leaving only boundless regret and an endless , humbling wait . The South's rainy season was long and brutal . That summer , a hurricane swept through , bringing a once - in - a - century downpour . For days , torrential rains pounded the land , swelling the river until it shattered the long - neglected floodwall . Floodwaters roared like a beast set free , carrying mud and splintered wood as they swept through the low - lying old town . In an instant , streets became an ocean . Cries for help , screams , and the deafening crash of collapsing homes tore through the curtain of rain . When the news reached the Crestwood Suites , Graham was staring at a military map , lost in thought . The report jolted him upright . " Multiple residential buildings near the community high school are flooded . People are trapped . " Chapter 19 82.61 % He shot to his feet , pale as ash . His coffee cup tipped over , scalding water soaking the map , but he didn't notice . Evelyn ! She lived on the first floor of an apartment in that area ! Fear gripped his heart like icy claws , almost choking him . He didn't think . Like a wild animal , he bolted out the door , ignoring rain gear , plunging into the torrential downpour and waist - deep , murky floodwaters . The current was swift and freezing , the water a chaotic swirl of floating furniture , debris , and jagged branches . His military jeep was useless , stalled in the flood . Relying on raw strength and soldier's instincts , Graham swam and climbed , fighting both the current and the panicked crowd , desperate to reach Evelyn's apartment building . Rain blurred his vision , but one thought consumed him : he had to find her . The familiar streets were unrecognizable , swallowed by the deluge . When he reached her apartment complex , his heart sank . Several old buildings teetered , their first floors submerged , water still rising . Rescue boats struggled through the chaos , horns blaring , cries echoing in a frantic din . " Evelyn ! Evelyn Hart ! " Graham's hoarse shouts were lost in the storm . He grabbed a rescuer . " Have you seen a woman named Evelyn Hart ? She teaches at the community high school and lives on the first floor ! " " The first floor's flooded ! Everyone's been moved upstairs ! " the rescuer shouted . " The buildings are unstable - could collapse at any moment ! We're organizing another evacuation ! " Collapse ? Graham's blood ran cold . He didn't hesitate . Taking a deep breath , he dove into the murky water , swimming toward Evelyn's building entrance guided by memory . Underwater , barely able to see , he groped through a shattered window , icy water flooding the room as furniture bobbed and collided around him . " Evelyn ! Evelyn Hart ! Are you here ?! " he yelled , voice raw , searching frantically . No answer . Only the roar of the flood and the terrifying crash of water against walls . Chapter 19 82.61 % Despair coiled around him , threatening to drag him under . Just as he prepared to surface for air , his foot brushed something soft . He dove down , reaching out- It was a human leg . Chapter 19 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!