stretching out ahead of them are reflector bars on the telephone poles, a few feet above the rippling surface of the floodwater. a wave of water rushes forward from the truck, then comes back and washes over the hood, splashing up on the windshield. all they can see is the front of the truck, in the light of the "welcome" sign. they can't see the back. no sign of tom. tom and karen have disappeared. karen's boat is still moored to the sheriff's station roof, empty. the ski-boat and jet-ski are right above them, flashlights playing over the water. they see a body tumble out of the ski-boat. the sheriff, phil and hank are heading toward the church, flaming molotov cocktails in their hands.