Lightning slashed across the sky in front of them as they drove right into it. Rain hadn’t hit them yet, and Violet had a feeling that hail would join in the mix soon enough. The air temperatures were calling for it, and that was going to be a hellacious mix. It would be big and heavy and could likely ruin equipment faster than a tornado would.
Violet turned to look over her shoulder at Lando, who sat stoically in her seat. She still looked pale and ashen, but far more “with it” than she had the last couple days. Whether the pain was mitigating or she was moving beyond the initial resurgence of her addiction, Violet wasn’t sure, but she was glad to see Lando return closer to normal.
“There’s a high moisture content and freezing temperatures.”
Lando’s gaze locked on Violet’s, confusion at first in those pale glass-blue eyes before it turned into recognition. “How big do you think?”
“Not too bad. No more than quarter-sized I’d imagine.”
“What are you two going on about?” Diane muttered as she stepped on the gas.
Violet’s lips twitched as kept her gaze on Lando, sharing an inside conversation. Diane was never one for details or information. No matter how many times Violet had explained how hail was formed, Diane never paid attention. She was there to drive and take photos if she could. They used to make good money off some of them, but over the years Diane hadn’t done as much of it as before.
Violet waited to see if Lando would answer Diane, let her in on the secret. Lando, however, remained silent in the back seat. Frowning, Violet turned forward and flicked through some of her screens, murmuring, “Hail.”
“Great. How much damage is that going to do?”
Violet wanted to roll her eyes. They were in the business of damage control, whether it was on the Hummer or in the fields they were accessing. The entire purpose to chasing was to gather information to prevent future damage. It was expected they were going to have some to the vehicle, equipment, and unfortunately people.
Not answering, Violet watched the storm brew on the screen in front of her. This was going to be their perfect opportunity. She could feel it in her bones. Facing Lando again, Violet raised an eyebrow, giddiness working its way into her chest. “Get those ready.”
“On it, teach.”
She loved it when Lando called her that, when it was welcome and said as an endearment. It was also a good reminder of the once calm relationship the two of them had had, something Violet hoped they could get back to even if it wasn’t in the classroom. Lando had been right, her mood had been all over the place since they’d started chasing, and it had nothing to do with Lando and everything to do with Diane.
Diane pulled off the main road, following a dirt road deeper into the fields surrounding them. Violet navigated as best as she could, but at that point, there wasn’t anywhere else they could go.
“I see a funnel,” Lando stated, her voice growing louder. “Actually, I see two!”
Violet flung around, trying to figure out where Lando was looking, and sure enough there were three funnels forming. One looked promising. “See it, Diane?”
“On it.”
“There’s a crossroad about a thousand feet up, take it north.”
Diane drove, and Violet tracked the funnels. Excitement grew in the pit of her stomach, and she sensed the same from everyone in the vehicle. They had to push aside whatever animosity was between them to get the job done, and done safely. Then when they finished for the day they could go back to discussing the problems between them, if Violet was up for that. She still wasn’t sure she liked what Diane had told her.
Diane turned the car, and they had a full view of the funnels out the front windshield. The sky had an eerie glow to it, lighting up from the storm. Lightning was far off in the distance even though the storm was right on top of them. Thunder boomed through the Hummer, settling in Violet’s chest. This was what she lived for. The chase.
They stopped, and Violet shoved her computer onto the front dash as she got out of the vehicle. Diane grabbed her camera, surprisingly, and stepped out as well. Running around to the back, Violet helped Lando with the box of devices they needed at least one tornado to pick up. At least two had touched down, but only one was close enough to matter.
She grabbed Lando’s shoulder and hunched down against the wind as it picked up. “I’m going with you.”
“I can do it.”
“Sure you can.” Violet gave her an encouraging smile. “You did just fine last time.”
That last comment may have been a bit harsher than necessary, but Violet wanted her point to get across. They shouldn’t have sent Lando out by herself the last time, and she wasn’t going to do it this time. They were a team, and they worked together, not separate. Her tech wasn’t going to tell her much more than her own senses could at that point anyway.
Lando’s face hardened when Violet didn’t give in. Violet let her carry the box as they walked toward the fence they’d have to jump. Rope tornadoes were notorious for not following their original path and often swung around wildly, which made them far more difficult to catch and collect data on. That was partly why Diane and she had chosen those specific kinds of tornados to focus on.
Violet held the box as Lando hopped the fence, and then handed it over. As soon as they were both on the other side, they jogged toward the one funnel they could see getting close to touching down. Violet’s feet were sure as she ran. They weren’t that far off.
The first pelt of hail slammed into the dirt only two feet from her. Violet cursed inwardly as she focused on moving closer to the tornado. They had to get as close as possible to it, drop the box, and then run as fast as they could back to the vehicle. Lando kept pace easily enough, and Violet wondered if she was holding back for Violet’s sake.
Shaking that thought, she pointed ahead and shouted, “Over there should be good.”
A small rise in the ground would hopefully allow the tornado to get close enough. It hit ground about two hundred feet in front of them, kicking up dust and debris. Violet stopped short, debating whether they could make it or not, but Lando kept moving. Picking up her pace as the tornado roared, Violet made sure she didn’t let Lando get too far ahead.