Storm
By Loth Quendi

Prologue

Wind shook the branches of trees along the side of the road. Streaks of moonight shone across the gravel, dipping between the gaps in the leaves. A creaking was heard as a old, rusty sign reading, "Dairy Road" swayed in the breeze. The lights were out in each house, as everyone was sleeping peacefully. The area was silent, in a content way, that was suddenly penetrated by the sound of tennis shoes hitting the pavement.

A short, thin teenage boy bolted around the corner and jogged down the sidewalk, passing one house after another, but not giving them a second glance. He had short brown hair and brown eyes, and was wearing blue jeans along with a blue zip up sweater over a white t-shirt. He panted slightly, his face void of emotion, and turned down a driveway.

In front of him stood a fairly large, two-story house with white siding and brown shudders. It had an open garage next to it, holding a red minivan and a black pick-up truck. The boy kept his eyes on the door, as he stepped up onto the porch.

His breath slowing, he raised his hand and knocked on the door, firmly but calmly. After a moment, another knock broke the silence again. Finally, a light was seen in the front window of the house, and footsteps came closer and closer. The door swung open, revealing another teenage boy rubbing his eyes. He was taller than the first kid, and had longer brown hair and brown eyes. He was a little more fit, wearing a pair of boxers and a white tank top.

"What are you doing here, Bryan? It's three in the morning," He asked in a deep, important voice, and put his hand down to his side.

Bryan's emotionless face never slipped. "Can I stay here?" His tone was light, yet serious.

The second boy raised an eyebrow. "Why, what's going on?"

"I just need some place to stay, okay? Jeez, Shane, stop acting like a mother." Bryan snapped.

Shane looked surprised at his friend's assertiveness, and opened the door more to let him in. Bryan brushed past him and walked down the hall, heading straight to the second room on the right.

"I'll just sleep on the floor," Ignoring his friend's peculiar stare, Bryan took some blankets from the closet and starting spreading them out in the area between the wall and the door.

Shane slowly walked around the room and sat on the edge of his bed. He placed his head in his hands and watched his friend. There was a large, green circle on the side of his wrist, barely noticable with his sweatshirt hiding most of it, unless you knew what you were looking for.

Bryan finished setting up the pallet, then layed his head on the pillow and pulled the blankets up to his chin, looking exhausted. Shane stood up. "It's your dad again isn't it?" He said casually, walking back to the door.

Bryan winced, but covered it up by closing his eyes. "Yes."

Shane nodded, and stood for a moment before turning off the light and climbing into his own bed. Everything was silent again.

"Asshole," A mumble came from Shane's bed. Bryan smirked and drifted off to sleep.