Author’s Note: This is a one shot.

The Beat of the Storm

The stagnant reality of the day hung heavy on Emily’s shoulders. Stretched across the white worn chair, she lazily watched streams of water race down the windowpane. The chimes on the grey grandfather clock sounded, one, two, three, the last note haunting the empty hallways of the house. Shifting her weight, Emily moved closer to the clear window.

Outside thunder roared, beating the rain out of the heavy clouds. The growl of the sky filtered through the soft wood of the house; becoming nothing more than a weak mewl to Emily’s ears. Tap, tap, her finger beat idly against the glass. Slowly her eyes wandered the street outside the window, looking for something, anything to distract her from the present moment.

Suddenly a flash of red and a swirl of glittering gold flared before her gaze. Blinking rapidly Emily tried to clear her eyes, and the image faded, melting into the dark rain. Shaking her head she resumed her vigil. It had been nothing more than a ghost of her imagination. Tap, tap, her index finger beat against the window once more, making the glass shudder as a nervous animal would. Outside the jade leaves of the trees glistened and bowed in the wind. Tap, tap. The thunder rumbled, and the sky erupted. Again something flashed before Emily’s eyes, and this time she knew it was real.

In the middle of the flooded street whirled a delicate, airy creature, ethereal in her burning light. Red silk floated through the air, swaying, and twisting elegantly across the sky. Gold metal shimmered and shifted as she twirled in a graceful circle. The creature looked up, right in to the eyes of her watcher. Her gaze was passionate and compelling. Entranced, Emily fell deep into the pools of black.

A longing welled up unexpectedly inside Emily, and before she knew what she was doing she had placed both of her palms flat on the window. The creature continued to spin and twirl, her dark eyes never leaving the one watching her. The desire to join the one dancing ached deep within Emily, but unable to move, she was soon filled with despair. Tears swelled in her eyes, and she pressed as hard as she could against the glass. The creature saw her wish and smiled.

Abruptly, Emily found her arms passing through the window as if it were nothing more than air. Floating uncertainly forwards, she stopped in front of the ethereal creature. Shyness overtook her, and she gazed at the wet ground. She did not know how to dance. Kind hands swung her up in the air, to whirl and twist about the ruby silk. The wind blew a wild song, and set her cheeks aflame. Lost in the shimmering gold and river of silk, they danced to the thundering beat of the storm.