Rain

The sunny summer day quickly turned dark as a thunderstorm rolled in over the little town. The wind began to blow, undulating blinds in all the open windows. Leaves rustled in the wind, making the trees whisper. Day became night and the rolling of the thunder was heard. Windows were shut, animals moved to safety, all with cautious glances at the darkening sky. The storm seemed almost ominous, as if some ancient god were angry. Leaves whipped in the increasing wind and thunder cracked in the distance, startling the dogs. Little children began to cry as the wind picked up and the day became dark as midnight. Rain began to pour, beating out a steady rhythm on roofs. Any animals or people still out of doors were immediately drenched as the rain came down. A staccato of raindrops beat on the arms, heads and legs of people left outside. Most covered their heads and ran for cover, but Meggie stayed in the storm. Her heart throbbed through her chest as she stood in the rain, raindrops feeling like rocks as the struck her bare skin. It was time. She turned her face towards the sky and blinked away rain as it fell into her eyes. The rain was soon mixed with tears, both running down her face and tasting salty in her mouth. Dark clouds covered the sun and she could hardly see, but it hardly mattered. She did not need to see, only feel. Feel the rain beat against her skin. Feel her breath, quick and sharp. Feel her heart, pounding against her chest. She was sure everyone could hear that heart, even over the wind and rain and thunder. The storm was lit with flashes of light and then deep rolls of thunder, shaking the ground. Still Meggie stood there, with her wind-whipped hair, soaked shirt and wet skin. She lifted her arms, and let the rain roll down them. And as she stood there, soaked through and standing in the middle of the town square, she collapsed, falling to the slick cobblestones beneath her.