Writing Prompt: The hillside was steep.

Morning all, running late. kind of a crazy morning. But let’s take a breather and get the mind right to write with the morning prompt. Timers ready and off we go…

Yeah somehow, I don’t think this truck is going to make it. But I think the story that follows whoever survives could be interesting.

Friday, September 22^nd: The hillside was steep.

The hillside was steep and rainwater ran in rivers down it’s sides.  It had been raining for days and now it wasn’t just loose debris that was making it’s way down the hillside but chunks of dirt.  There were places that were holding, mostly areas of old growth vegetation where the older trees had deep roots. 

Those patches were few and far between.  This area was build and stripped of most of the natural to provide spectacular views.  Hank had to admit the views were spectacular.  At the moment he didn’t have time to enjoy them.  He and his team were trying to get the last of the barricades in place.  It was a last ditch effort to stabilize the ground and prevent more of it from sliding down the steep slope.  If everything worked as planned then the stabilization would not only keep the bare earth from sliding but it would stop the few very expensive houses that were build towards the top to capture the best views from joining the mass of debris that would crush the lower ones. 

He knew where to put them.  His orders were very specific and he was following them to the millimeter.  If he and his team were off even a fraction, it could cause more damage than it would prevent.  Not only would there be damage to the now evacuated homes below, but there was the very real likelihood his team would die.  At the moment, that, more than potential property damage was keeping him on track.

With a prayer that the measurements were correct, Hank and his team sank the last support.  They shot it deep into the earth.  There was a sigh of relief, mostly lost to the winds but seen in the tension release from the shoulders of his team as the final support did not cause a catastrophic collapse.   He motioned for them to go and as quick as they dared, they made their way to the road. 

The road too would need repair when this was all done.  The tires of their utility vehicle had three inches of water covering the lower treads.  They were cutting it close.  The road was barely passible now.  In an hour he suspected no vehicle was getting down.  Luckily, they were the last one.

“Take it slow Mike,” Hank said as they all piled into the extra-large cab.  Mike nodded and Hank could see his grip on the wheel tighten.  The noise was only slightly less as it drummed on the metal roof of the truck’s cab. It was less than the echo of it drumming on the hood of his rain slicker so he was grateful for the slight reprieve.  The way down the hill was slow and bone rattling terrifying.