Unit 9     返回中級閱讀第五冊總表      

Unit 10: Blown Away

“A typhoon is coming!” Rachel screeches after listening to the evening weather report.

Rachel is well-known for overreacting to most situations, but with a typhoon coming who can blame her for being a little worried.

“I need to get ready. I don't even have an emergency food supply!” she cried. During one late night study session, she had gotten hungry and eaten all the emergency food she had in the house. Now she realizes what a big mistake that was and so the anxious girl rushes off to the supermarket to buy a few things before the storm hits.

Later in the evening the winds pick up. Garbage dances down the street. Stray animals run for cover. Fewer and fewer cars can be seen driving down the street as everyone is at home... waiting. 

The windows in her tiny dorm room rattle and shake as the typhoon approaches. Rachel gathers everything she needs in case of a power outage and puts it on the table. Instant noodles, soda, cookies, a radio, and a flashlight are among the things she feels necessary. 

Her flashlight is special. It doesn't even require batteries. There is a small crank on the side that generates electricity when it is turned. It could prove to be very valuable if the power is out for a long time.

“Wait just a second.” Rachel looks around nervously. “I forgot to buy water!”

She goes to the window and looks out, deciding whether or not to risk going outside. The wind is even stronger and all the garbage has long since blown away. Now stray animals, the ones whom didn't find cover, roll helplessly down the street head over heels.

“It doesn't look too bad,” she says as a small car floats by her window. “I think I can make it.”

She puts on her jacket and outside shoes. On the way to the door, she grabs the flashlight off the table and puts it in her pocket. The typhoon makes it hard to push the door open. It is almost like someone is on the other side pushing back. She struggles for all she is worth to even get it to budge, but finally she is able to open it enough to slip out.

The naïve girl takes one step out of the house, but before her foot even hits the ground, she is whisked away by a gale force wind. After that all that is heard is a fading scream. Rachel and her flashlight are never seen again.