The sound of thunder rousted me from my slumber. It felt as though it was right overhead. My blinds were open and the onslaught of the torrential rain had begun. At that moment, I heard, more than saw the lightening hit the ground just to the left of the driveway, where an old oak tree resided. What followed thereafter was something that I am sure will never be erased from my memories.
The tree that had stood so proud on the sunny day before had been hit. The large limb used for climbing by tiny little legs began its descent towards the small corner of the roof, covering the room in which my eldest daughter lay sleeping. The noise was deafening, only made worse by the incessant barking of the dogs.
I had to fight my way out from underneath the covers that had tangled about me. I ran down the hall, past the kitchen and dining room, to the area that housed my children’s bedrooms. The rain hit me full force, immediately drenching my pajama clad body. Over the howling wind I heard my daughter’s cries. “Mommy, please help me!”
She awoke with a start. The wind was blowing; the rain was cascading against her home. She was sure that the roof would give away under its pressure, and the water would flow freely sweeping her up and taking her into the night and the unknown.
It was dark. The moon was silent. The trees were blowing with a gale force, causing the branches to scrape against her bedroom window. She imagined long, gnarled fingers, scraping upon her window. “Come with me, come to me, and walk towards your destiny.” She pulled her knees up to her chest. She felt a scream build up in her throat, and she choked it back. The sound came out as nothing more than a garbled groan. There was something, or someone, who wanted to come in. She must not give in. She must never give in again.
She shook her head, her dark brown hair, cascading around her shoulders. “It’s just a dream” she said to no on in particular. “It’s just a dream. They can’t touch me here; they don’t know where I am.”
She looked over at the empty pillow beside her. A sadness enveloped her heart. She missed him so. His ever ready smile, his laughter, his acceptance. The warmth of a body, so strong, lying next to her while she slept. The security. The safety. The comfort.
She relaxed and felt him beside her once again. She remembered waking up in times past. She only needed to reach out and touch him and he would be instantly awake, enveloping her in an embrace that warded off all of the imaginary evil in her head. She began to doze.
The memories came fast and furious. The heat, the warmth. The hands running over her body. The promises, the whispers of everlasting love. The passion threatened to overtake her and she let go. She let the feeling run through her. His hands. They were magical. Her breathing became ragged. Her body was restless from unfulfilled passion. The heat was building up and she could only cry out, begging for release.
He laughed gently. “Easy my love, we have all night.” As his mouth came down upon her already taut nipple, she cried out in delight. Her hands ran through his hair, and she tried desperately to move his head up towards her mouth. He captured them, and lifted them up above her head. He leaned down and encircled her navel with his tongue. She moved restlessly under him. Unconsciously, she lifted her hips, grinding against him, making her desire well known.
As his hand cupped her sex, the lightening struck, and lit up the sky. The light poured into the room. She was standing, naked and alone. On top of the bed. Holding a knife. That was dripping blood. The blood of her beloved as he lay, face up, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling, with a perpetual look of confusion on his face.
That was the last thing she remembered as the darkness surrounded her, and she slid into black hole that stole her memories, her heart and her soul.