Endless banging on the door woke Lexy. The condo was dark and the building across the street was dark. A flashlight swept back and forth on the floor opposite hers. Blackout, she thought, as she yawned and got to her feet.

"Lexy! Lexy!"

"Coming, Lazlo," she said. Lazlo stopped pounding. She used her cell flashlight to get to the door and opened it on the chain. Couldn't be too careful. "What's happening? Lights are out."

"Yes, Lexy. We've gotten the order to evacuate. This neighborhood is starting to flood."

"Oh, dear."

"Yeah. Pack clothes, snacks, water, phone, batteries, what you think you'll need and be in the lobby in 30 minutes. The Fire Department will lead us to a safer place."

"OK, Lazlo," she said. The door across the hall opened on the chain and gray-haired Mr. Murgatroyd peered out. The banging had apparently woken him, too. She checked the time. It was 1:12 AM.

Lazlo went to Mr. Murgatroyd's condo and she shut the door. She found a few led candles and turned one on. What to pack? she wondered. I'll have to take Bootsie with me. She sighed and filled a back with clothes, her cell charger, a flashlight, water and snacks and food for Bootsie. She put Bootsie in his carrier and put changed into jeans, a t-shirt, and walking shoes. She slung her purse over her shoulder and put on her rain jacket. She settled the backcpack on her shoulders and carried Bootsie. She locked the door behind her and opened the door to the stairwell.

"Bad night, Lexy," said Mr. Murgatroyd as he and his wife followed her down the stairs.

They were wheezing as they reached the lobby and Bootsie's carrier was heavy. They walked into the lobby where several of the tenants were gathered. Lazlo was talking to a policeman as a couple of firemen checked tenants onto a list for shelters.

"What's in the case, Miss?" A fireman asked her.

"Cat," she said. "I have to see he's safe. Pris will flip if anything happens to her cat, she thought.

"There are several shelters on Long Island, but don't take animals. A hotel on 59th by the Park will take you for the night," the man said. "You good with that?"

She nodded, then said "Yes."

A few minutes later she was in a line with a firefighter leading and one following behind to walk to Columbus Circle. The rain soaked them, and lightning flashed constantly. She couldn't hear anything over the thunder.

The firemen led them to the A train and they all got in a car. Soon they were at Columbus Circle where the group broke up. Several people were going to shelters in Jersey, but she, the Murgatroyd's and another man were going to the hotel on Park.

"We'll have to walk to the hotel," said the lead firefighter. "Anybody who doesn't want to walk there, about five blocks, will have to wait here."

The four of them followed the fireman into the Maelstrom. Rain poured down as the storm raged. They stopped for a minute halfway to Fifth Ave. Lexy set Bootsie's carrier down and rubbed her fingers. She looked in the carrier. Bootsie was scrooched in the back, curled up and miserable with his whiskers dragging. His ears flicked forward at her. "We'll be in a room soon and I'll let you out."

The small band regrouped and continued to the East Side. They reached Fifth Avenue, near the Pond when Mr. Murgatroyd, stumbled, fell and lay there, groaning. He grabbed his ankle. The firefighter spoke to him, and then spoke to Mrs. Murgatroyd.

"Mr. Murgatroyd has a sprained ankle at least and had to go to the hospital. I'm taking him to a police car that's up Fifth Avenue, away from the hotel where you are to go. Mrs. Murgatroyd is coming with me. Do you want to come with me or wait here. I'll be about 15 minutes."

The other man in their party said, "I'll go; maybe I can help you."

Lexy thought about carrying Bootsie and her backpack a few blocks away and then back. Lightning lit up the night, and Lexy waited for thunder to fade before saying, "I'll wait here."

The firefighter put her under an overturned carriage, where she and Bootsie had some shelter from the storm. He and the other man put Mr. Murgatroyd's arms over their shoulders and helped him walk. Mrs. Murgatroyd walked after them, carrying their packs.

Lexy could barely see them as they left. She wondered if she'd done the right thing by waiting. Lightning flashed again and she smelled ozone as thunder boomed. At least it was dryer under the carriage.

She yawned, leaning against the cushions of the carriage seat. Her cell gave the time as 4:03 AM. Lightning flashed a sickly purple and green, striking the ground opposite the carriage. Thunder shut out the pounding rain and ozone filled her nose. All light faded and she could see nothing. The world rocked and rolled and she couldn't breath. Air rushed back in her lungs. "Help!" she screamed.