Instant regret filled Georgia as they reached the second circle. A cold wind sliced through her. Drusilla clung to her side. Georgia wasn’t sure if it was out of fear or for warmth. There was one thing she was sure of though; she should have never given Virgil his jacket back.

Old Verge noticed the girls’ distress, reached into his bag, pulled out two cloaks and handed them to the girls. They eagerly put them on.

“What level is this supposed to be?” Georgia asked.

“Two. Lust. A lot dumpier than I remember.” Old Verge remarked as they pushed forward.

Virgil nodded. “They made some changes. Tornados now.”

“Tornados?” Old Verge replied incredulously. “Seems a steep price to pay for misplaced passion.”

He was right. Unlike limbo, there were no grand structures, quaint houses or shops. Instead, there were weathered, flimsy looking buildings. Many of them were reduced to rubble. Despite this, there were some people still outside going about their day or trying to resurrect fallen buildings.

“Well, what do you think, my dear?” Old Verge asked Georgia.

She turned to Drusilla. “Do you think your friend is here?”

Drusilla shook her head. “No, he was never one to be easily overtaken by his passions. At least sexual ones anyway.”

“Well then I suggest we try to find Luci as quickly as possible and get the hell out of here. I feel like I’m going to blow away any minute.”

Everyone agreed and began to fan out and search the level. Georgia focused most her attention on sturdy places shielded from the wind. Snakes were cold blooded so the last place one would want to be is exposed to cold winds.

As they searched, the winds picked up and they noticed people going into their homes or underground bunkers.

“That’s not a good sign.” Georgia remarked.

“They musta figured out when the tornados come.” Virgil replied.

“Well, I don’t wanna find out. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“To where? No one seems too friendly.” Drusilla replied.

“Oi!” A voice called out over the winds. The group turned around to find a freckled face extended from a bunker. “Tornado’s coming! You can ride it out here. Come along!”

Georgia certainly wasn’t going to argue and led the way to the safety of the stranger’s bunker. As soon as they were all inside the winds picked up making a fierce banging on the bunker door.

“Looks like I got to ya just in time!” The man said cheerfully. He was tall-almost too tall for the bunker-with wild red hair and wide green eyes.

“Yes, thank you.” Georgia replied.

“Come, come! Sit, rest!” He said as he ushered them inside.

There wasn’t much to the bunker. There was a bed, a few chairs, and a small table. Shelves lined the walls with trinkets and dishes.

“Sorry, there isn’t much to the place. I’ve just started living down here exclusively. Not much point to having a house if it’s gonnna be tore apart every day.”

“When did things get this bad? It was probably before your time, but I don’t remember the winds being nearly this strong.” Old Verge remarked. 

“It’s probably the towers.” Virgil replied.

“Aye! Overnight they appeared, and ever since the winds picked up and the tornados began blowing through. It’s not hard to figure out the schedule, but we try not to let on we know. If the guards find out too many of us know they change things on us.”

“How difficult are these towers to get into?” Georgia asked.

The man shrugged. “No one’s ever tried. They’re pretty well guarded. But I don’t think it would be impossible.”

Georgia sighed in relief. If they could stop the winds and tornados, they could have an easier time finding Luci. “Well, I guess after the storm passes, we should get on our way and check out the towers. Seems like it would be in everyone’s best interests to stop the winds.”

“I’d like to come along if you don’t mind. I know the area well. Although, you already have a guide and a former guide so I may not be of much use.” The man volunteered.

Georgia smiled at him. “The more the merrier. We never got your name though. I’m Georgia.”

He laughed. “Everyone knows who you are, miss. You’ve been quite the talk of the town. I’m Finn. Finn Doyle at your service.”

***

“You sure are making a lot of friends so far.” Virgil said as they walked to the first tower. Finn, Drusilla, and Old Verge were taking the lead cheerfully talking about this or that.

Georgia shrugged. “He seems like a nice enough guy.”

“You say that bout a lotta people.”

“Is it so wrong to want to see the good in people?” Georgia asked.

“No. But not everyone got good in ‘em. Look at where you are. I just don’t want you to be disappointed when you see what it’s really like down here. What people are really like down here.” Virgil replied.

“Were you always this cynical, Mr. Washington?”

It was Virgil’s turn to shrug. “I call it being realistic.”

Before they could continue the conversation, they had arrived.