A coffin of water engulfed Terra, its speed and aggression arresting her breath. In the murky depths, she could make out the picture frame containing her, her mother, and her father, at her graduation. Its ornate and intricate woodwork made the frame itself an expensive piece, perfect for housing such an important memory.
It was the first time a tidal wave of such size had ever hit Caleah. The tidal defences were meek and feeble in its presence, the rushing pressure ripping the outer walls to shreds. It washed over the east of Sword Isle first, wiping out the theatre district in an instant. Water rushed around the edges of Mount Triumph, engulfing the rest of the cityscape. Those that could heed the warning signal had just about made it to the first checkpoint on the mountain, taking refuge in the drake keeper’s fort.
Terra had just awoken when the signal blared, its sound piercing. The following warning message from Sword Marshall Deacon ripped her world asunder. His call for evacuation made it clear that her and her community would be washed away, as it requested all citizens to make their way to Mount Triumph. Her home was on the western edge of Sword Isle. About two hours by tram to reach the mountain.
The wave filled the rivers and within minutes, the waters of Lake Caleah had already risen ten feet. From one side, the tidal wave ravaged the city, and from the other, the rising waters threatened to flood the coastal marina. Terra said a prayer to her gods, and sat in silence, waiting for rapture.
Today's prompt: picture frame
This week's worldbuilding prompt: natural disasters
If you'd like to participate too, the contest/prompts can be found here:
@mariannewest/day-1638-5-minute-freewrite-sunday-prompt-picture-frame
