The wind was picking up, hurling the leaves and scattered litter around in large swirls, the debri flowing helplessly, looking like a mini tornado, only less powerful and frightening, just there. Rain was pelting down in sheets, the ground already far past saturation and unable to soak in the water, but it showed no signs of letting up. Every so often the dark sky would flash with light, bringing into view the surroundings; a kiddy pool, about a foot deep and large enough to hold a fair few kids; a line of houses, each with startling feartures and enchanting colors, like castles, only so much smaller. Houses trying to be more than they were and succeeding; a swingset in an otherwise empty field just across from the line of houses, one of it's five swings rocking slowly back and forth at the power of a lone girl.

She was soaked to the skin, her blonde hair sticking in a mess to the back of her shirt, but she appeared oblivious to her state of wetness and to the overpowering chill in the air. Boom after boom of thunder was pounding in the air, yet she never once flinched. Her large brown eyes were skycast, absorbing the dark sky as it flashed with light more and more frequently.

Another girl was walking up, the hood of her coat pulled over her head in a futile effort to stay dry, to sit stationary on the swing directly beside the first girl. She said nothing to announce herself, merely stared at the ground, streams running along in waves from too much rain too fast, pulling at her shirt until the first girl spoke, still enraptured by the sky, "It's nearly here."

The second girl looked up, staring in question at the first girl before urging her to continue, "What is?"

Without glancing at her new companion, the first elaborated, "The storm. Look now," she said, pointing to the sky. Moments later a bright light arcked across the exact place she was pointing, a brilliant, squiggled line, dividing cleanly into three equally arcked lines, a skeletal branch in the sky. The newer girl, lowering her hood to expose her golden red hair to the water that was still pouring down on them, did not question how her companion knew where the lightning would strike, waiting, instead, for her to continue, "See, Li, you can see the bolts. The thunder's gone though, Li. Why, Delilah?"

The girl finally looked away from the sky and towards her red-headed friend, Delilah, with tears in her eyes. Her face clearly showed her fear as she clenched her fists tighter to the swing's chains. Now, looking directly into Delilah's eyes, she seemed to be realizing where she was, realizing how her clothes clung to her skin and how her teeth chattered in the bitter cold.

Delilah seemed unfazed, as if she had been expecting this, waiting for it. She pulled up from her swing, slowly crossing the few steps between her and the girl, to stand behind her and push her gently to keep her swinging back and forth. Delilah didn't seem to need to say anything, only waited, still pushing her friend, knowing this was how it had to be to find out what was wrong.

They stayed there, unmoving except for Delilah constantly pushing her friend's swing, for several moments until the blonde spoke again, softly. "My mom used to take me here, when my dad was gone, and swing with me. It was years ago, it must have been, atleast six. I was probably only eleven, Melody was still just a baby."

Delilah nodded mutely, knowing her friend couldn't see her, so she spoke, "Lizzy, it was years ago, it was a different storm." She stopped pushing her friend's swing, pulling her into a hug from behind, because she knew. She knew what was wrong;

It had been a horrible day, much like today in fact. Liz's dad was long since gone; consumed with greed he had gone so far as to kill a man for gold, but he had gotten caught and had to pay for what he had done. He was hung when Lizzy was only nine years old. That caused Lizzy to grow extremely close to her mother, and Delilah knew, had witnessed the relationship for the length it lasted.

Delilah had been with them come that rainy day, her and Liz swinging side-by-side, each trying to swing higher than the other. Lizzy's mom was running along after Melody who was just about to turn three years old. Lizzy and Delilah were both eleven now. The day had been lovely, clear and warm, the sun shining brightly as it poured over them. Only the day seemed to change in an instant, clouds thundering in, the sky dancing with light, and with a sudden flash Lizzy's mother and sweet little sister were gone forever.

Seventeen year old Elizabeth started staring once again towards the sky, which was slowly clearing up, sun rays breaking through gaps in the clouds. She clutched Delilah's arms, resting against her friend. Tears were streaming slowly down her face as she broke the silence, "Li, why do you put up with me?"

Delilah rested her chin on her friends head, smiling slightly, as she replied, "Why not? Lizzy, you're my best friend, what other reason do I need? I mean, sure you get on my nerves sometimes, but... It's just, we understand eachother, we trust eachother. Lizzy, you're like my sister and I love you."

Elizabeth tugged lightly at her friend's arms, loosening their grip, as she stood up, twirling to face Delilah. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Li. You know you're my best friend too, right? Just... just promise me something."

Hooking arms, both friends started walking across the field, towards their houses and their lives, towards everything they knew.

"Yes?" Delilah asked, prompting her friend further.

"Promise me that, no matter what happens, we won't forget about eachother. Promise me that we'll be friends forever."

Delilah smiled softly, her red hair shining as it dried from the sun besides Elizabeth's blonde curls, tucking her head on her friend's should. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Elizabeth smiled resting her own head on Delilah's; friends should always be forever, and she knew it would be.