The Storm

My nose pressed against the glass as I stared out the window. It had been such a long time since I had seen Debbie and the girls. The late afternoon had turned dark and grey; rain decorated the dry concrete on the driveway, turning it dark and slick. A sudden flash of lightning made me jump and the accompanying thunder that rolled across the sky sent me scampering across the room and under the table, hiding beneath the long tablecloth. The girls and I often played here, "Our Fortress!", the youngest, Tracy, had declared once. Then the oldest, Laura, would commandeer a bag of chips from the cupboard and we would eat them together in our fortress.

I listened as the rain fell heavier onto the roof; it pelted the tiles, threatening to break through. The room lit up once again with the lightning, the thunder crashed loudly right above the house, causing the windows to rattle in their frames. I dropped down, laying flat on the ground and peeked out of the gap where the tablecloth didn’t quite touch the ground. The street lights came on as the darkness grew deeper, they flickered off and on again, threatening to go out and never come back on. Shadows danced crazily across the floor as the strong winds made the trees outside sway and bend. I was frozen in place listening to the crashing of the windchimes on the porch, the wind blew through the pipes causing a high pitched squeal.

I was shaking in fear, I couldn't hear anything over the howling wind and cracking of thunder. I jumped when the front door crashed open. "Bella?" I heard my name float through the door, I slowly peeked out from under the tablecloth. "Bella? Where are you?" I heard the voice float through the air again, this time I recognized it as Debbie. I crept out from under the table and headed towards the front door, and watched as the girls ran in, rain dripping everywhere. "Bella, there you are! I know this storm is loud, you're such a good girl!" I wagged my tail proudly as Debbie and the girls patted me on the head, I am a good girl!

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If you would like to hear this being read, this flash piece was submitted to The Creepover Podcast  , episode 96. It's only a small podcast but the girls make it fun.