The Basement

In preparation for the imminent arrival of another storm to the North Carolina coast, Claudia has spent the day preparing her remote cottage for the storm's destructive force. While awaiting the signal that the storm has made landfall, a man knocks on her door. The man’s car has broken down, and he needs to use the telephone. When he tries the phone, however, the lines are down. At that moment, the siren signals the storm’s arrival, and Claudia must decide whether to let the man go back into the storm or invite him to stay and wait out the storm with her in the basement. (approximately 4900 words)