CHAPTER ONE
Sunday morning, May 22, 2011
Approximately 8 Hours before Tornado Strikes
"I assume one day I will go an entire day without thinking about the tornado that destroyed my hometown of Joplin, Missouri, but even after six months that day has not come." —Morgan Meyer
The Scaggs Household
A white wood-frame house with a basement
Less than a mile from the path of destruction
"Hey guys." Meg Scaggs scooped up her shoulder-length brown hair and greeted her children. Three tiny people looked up from the cabinets where they pulled out bowls and cups in preparation for breakfast. "Anyone hungry?""Yes!" they cried in slightly out-of-sync harmony. They bumped and hummed excitedly about the kitchen as she walked to the stove.
Meg smiled to herself, her whole body buzzing with energy.
