Page 48 - Faraway Frieds

42 FARAWAY FRIENDS
country caused by a mighty earthquake.
“Hi, Brittany! Another week and we’ll be on a plane headed home. It just doesn’t seem like we’ve been here for a whole year. Where does the time
go?” MaryCatherine asked.
“You sound like an old woman,” her sister teased. “Sometimes I feel old, you know,” said the paja-
ma-clad girl. “I’m happy to be getting home in time for our summer camping trip, looking forward to the four of us being together again. But, I have to ad- mit, I’m going to miss living in Nep - - -.” Her voice trailed. “Wait a minute, Brittany. I smell smoke!”
MaryCatherine looked around just as her cell phone rang. It was Dad calling.
“MaryCatherine! Listen carefully!” came an ur- gent voice. “There’s a fire on the floor above ours. The elevators have stopped working. You remember the drill, right? Don’t stop to do more than put on your slippers. Open the door carefully, and if you don’t see smoke, walk quickly to the stairwell. Go down to ground level. No need to panic. I think the fire is localized in an apartment kitchen, but you’re going to be safer down here. I’m waiting for you.”
“Gotta go, Brittany! I’ll call back when I can.” MaryCatherine snapped her laptop shut, slipped on some flip-flops, grabbed her computer and Tabby, and cautiously opened the door to the hallway. No smoke visible, though she could tell something was