A Craving in the Storm

Sophie had one thing on her mind: dark chocolate. The craving had been gnawing at her all day, an undeniable need for that rich, bittersweet indulgence. Work had been relentless, her patience worn thin, and all she wanted was to let a square of smooth, velvety chocolate melt on her tongue.

She pulled her coat tighter as she stepped out of her apartment, the February air crisp against her cheeks. The corner store was only a few blocks away. Easy. A quick trip, then back home with a cup of coffee and her well earned treat.

But fate had other plans.

Her phone buzzed just as she reached her car. She glanced at the screen; it was her sister. Sophie hesitated before answering, but guilt won.

"Hey, Jenna, what's up?"

"Finally! I’ve been calling you. Listen, do you still have my scarf? The one with the little owls on it?"

Sophie sighed, fishing her keys from her pocket. "I don’t know. Can this wait? I’m running an errand."

Jenna, oblivious, kept talking. "Well, I really need it back. Also, guess what? Eric proposed! Can you believe it?"

Sophie paused mid-step. "Wait, what?!"

Thirty minutes later, she was still sitting in her car, her fingers stiff from the cold, listening to Jenna recount the proposal in painstaking detail.

Eventually, she managed to escape the call with a promise to "talk more later," and started driving toward the store. The sky had darkened, clouds hanging low, but she paid them no mind. Chocolate was near.

Then she hit traffic.

Not the usual kind; the barely moving, never-ending stream of red brake lights that signaled doom. A fender-bender had turned the main road into a parking lot. Sophie drummed her fingers on the wheel, eyes flicking to the clock. She could take a detour, but every side street seemed just as packed.

Desperate, she turned onto a side road, only to be forced to stop as a train rumbled across the tracks ahead of her. The flashing red lights mocked her as the freight train stretched on for what felt like an eternity. She tapped impatiently on the steering wheel, her stomach growling. This was ridiculous.

Finally, the train cleared, the barrier lifted, and she pressed the gas...only for a cyclist to swerve right in front of her, forcing her to slam on the brakes. She let out a strangled groan.

A few blocks later, she was almost there when she saw flashing lights up ahead. A utility truck blocked the entire street, cones set up around a fallen power line. Sophie let out a breath through gritted teeth and rerouted yet again, her frustration growing by the second.

By the time she made her way past the detour and turned onto the street where the store sat, she was exhausted, irritated, and still chocolate-less.

And then; snow.

Not the light dusting she expected in February. No, this was a sudden, furious blizzard.

Thick flakes swirled through the air, the wind howling as if personally offended. Visibility dropped within minutes, the world turning white around her. Sophie parked, bracing against the wind as she half-ran, half-stumbled toward the store, determined not to be defeated.

Inside, warmth wrapped around her, the scent of coffee and baked goods a welcome relief. She made a beeline for the candy aisle, heart pounding with anticipation.

It was then; she saw it.

An empty shelf.

Her heart dropped. She scanned the section wildly; milk chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter cups… but no dark chocolate.

"Are you kidding me?" she muttered, her breath uneven.

She wasn’t about to leave empty-handed. She scoured the nearby shelves, checking the impulse-buy racks, even glancing near the checkout.

Then; miracle of miracles; there it was. A single, lone bar of dark chocolate wedged between a display of gum and granola bars.

Sophie lunged, snatching it before anyone else could. Victory.

As she stepped outside, the storm was still raging, but she didn’t care. She unwrapped the bar with frozen fingers, broke off a piece, and let it rest on her tongue.

The rich, slightly bitter cocoa melted slowly, coating her senses in warmth and satisfaction. She closed her eyes, savoring every second.

Snowflakes landed on her hair, the world silent except for the hush of the storm.

For a moment, everything was perfect.


Word Count: 720