The Tempest's Fury

As the storm intensified, the old cabin creaked and groaned, its wooden beams straining against the force of the wind. Chris and Dakota clung to each other, their eyes wide with fear as Jed's words hung in the air. The fire below spat and crackled, casting eerie shadows on the walls as the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed. Without hesitation, Jed sprang into action, grabbing a small wooden table and shoving it against the loft's railing. "Get under the bed, now!" he yelled, his voice barely audible above the din of the storm. This time, Chris didn't hesitate. He quickly pulled Dakota under the bed, shielding her with his body as the storm raged on. The wooden slats creaked and groaned above them, and Chris could feel the bed shaking beneath their weight. As they huddled together, the sound of Jed's voice drifted down, his words muffled but reassuring. "I've got this, kids! Just stay safe down there!" The storm raged on, its fury unabated. The wind howled, the thunder boomed, and the lightning flashed, casting an otherworldly glow over the cabin. Chris and Dakota clung to each other, their hearts pounding in unison as they waited for the tempest to pass. But as the minutes ticked by, Chris began to feel a growing sense of unease. Jed's voice had grown quieter, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He peered out from under the bed, his eyes scanning the loft for any sign of Jed. That was when he saw it: a faint flash of lightning illuminated Jed's form, his body stumbling towards the loft's edge. Chris's heart skipped a beat as he realized Jed was trying to get to them, but the storm was too strong. "Jed!" Chris yelled, his voice lost in the din of the storm. But before he could react, a loud crack of thunder boomed outside, and the loft was plunged into darkness. The bed shook, and Chris felt Dakota's body tremble with fear. In the darkness, Chris strained his ears, listening for any sign of Jed. But there was only silence. And then, a faint whisper: "Chris...Dakota...get out..."