Sparks flew and lighting zigzagged across the sky, everywhere at once. A streak hit the metal ladder and spread out in another jagged formation, striking at least one of the large willow trees directly behind them. Joe landed on the rain-softened earth with a grunt, Ashley on top of him, and the ground beneath them rocked from the force of the blast. Dazed, near blinded, he saw stars thanks to the flash and sudden darkness. “Oh, my—did you see that?” Ashley scrambled on top of him and squeezed out what little breath he still had in his lungs. Without a doubt tomorrow he’d feel every muscle and bone, but at least there would be a tomorrow. He didn’t answer her. Couldn’t answer. Tried instead to catch his breath. Finally, painfully, he managed to inhale and the smell of burnt wood and hot metal filled his lungs. He coughed weakly. “Are you all right?” Ashley’s hands flew to his face, angling it toward her. He registered the feel of her trembling fingers, ice cold and soft against his stubbled cheeks.
