Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: TOWER (12/01/22)
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TITLE: The Fire Tower | Previous Challenge Entry
By Louis Detweiler
12/08/22 -
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In summer, thunderstorms rolled across the peaks and dipped into the valleys leaving everything wet, glistening, and fresh. With the thunderstorms came lightning. Brian felt safe from hurricanes, but lightning was dangerous. He took the summer job as forest ranger as an adventure. He wanted to unwind and have a chance of respite from his busy life at the university. He crammed a few textbooks in his duffle bag, but mostly just relaxed in the cool Vermont breezes enjoying a break from the daily grind of studies.
Brian Johnston, a junior honor student at Vermont University in Forestry, didn’t think he could get the job, but acing a few exams earned him the right and a scholarship for next year.
He was told, “The forest ranger had to be on guard with lightning. Don’t go to sleep for one second when lightning appeared on the horizon. One strike of lightning could burn an entire forest if it wasn’t put out quickly. Also, many houses and towns are nestled in the forests. The Vermont Forest Service is watching the forests as well as you.”
Brian kept himself busy at the top of the tower. His days were filled with constantly scanning the horizon, listening to weather reports, and looking at the expansive green mountains. He had electricity for phones, microwave, and a refrigerator. On Monday morning, the forest service arrived with mail, groceries, and to give Brian a break. “Brian Johnston, you need a shower whether you think you do or not.”
“I got to get clean underwear and wash up. I could use a decent meal at a nice restaurant.”
At the diner in Waterbury, Johnston talked to his mother and dad. “It’s good to see you. How is the rest of the family?”
“Bill and Sarah think you are always having the best fun. They are fine. They are down in Montpelier for a music festival. You’re going to spend the whole summer up there, son. You’re going to get lonely.”
Ms. Johnston, “Come home, Brian. You’ve done enough.”
“Well, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness praying and he didn’t get lonely. I have a Bible and I have a cell phone. I can radio anytime I want. I’m in constant contact with someone all the time. I pray a great deal of the time. I have never felt so peaceful as waking up to a quiet morning where I look for miles and miles and I hear nothing but silence.”
Mr. Wainwright, the park ranger said, “We see Brian every week. If he gets homesick, we can always send someone else to take his place.”
Brian, “The only problem I have is getting all my food up to the top. I drink and wash with rainwater. It’s only the stairs that seem to be a problem.”
Mr. Wainwright, “The stairways are to heaven. Just think when you get to the top, you made it for another week.”
Brian watched the forest as June turned to July to August. In August the days were scorching. If it weren’t for the constant breeze at the tower, Brian thought he would roast. One evening a line of heavy thunderstorms surged across the mountains. The sky was black in all directions with heavy rain. The storms came directly at the tower.
Brian radioed the forest service, “What should I do?”
Nothing but static.
The metal tower jutted above the forest making a perfect target for a lightning strike.
Brian remembered that the fire tower is grounded for a lightning hit. If he goes down the stairs and lightning hits the fire tower, he could die.
Brian unplugged everything, curled in the middle of the floor, and prayed. Thunder boomed and then a deafening cracking of lightning.
Brian screamed.
A steady pattern of rain hit the roof and Brian opened his eyes.
“God is more powerful than anything I imagined.”
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