MEET LAYLA'S POP, aka CHARLIE DALTON

**On the outskirts of Halo, Valen slowed as the flashing lights of a police blockade materialized on the road in front of them.

As they pulled to a stop, a police officer ordered Valen to move over. "I'm commandeering this vehicle to use for evacuation."

Layla's heart hammered in her throat. "My Pop lives in Halo."

"Who's your Pop?" the officer asked.

"Charlie Dalton."

"Maybe you can get him to leave before his porch is blown out from under him." Now driving their rental car, the officer zigzagged through what was left of the town of Halo.

Terrified by the thought of Pop amidst the wooden splinters of buildings and fires erupting from downed power lines, Layla clung to the dash while Valen opened the sun roof to stand up and shoot pictures of the wreckage.

Tears filled Layla's eyes as she spotted Pop, sitting on the remaining few boards of a porch in a rocking chair, staring straight ahead. 


**Excerpt from CHASING THE LEGACY, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel.