The balmy summer twilight came to a close as a cool breeze swept across a golden field leading up to a small cottage rimmed with a white picket fence. Melodic notes sprang forth from a set of hanging chimes as the wind danced around them. As the sun finally slipped beneath the horizon and the crescent moon claimed sole ownership of the sky, the night promised a reprieve from the heat of the day. With the shift in the ambient temperature and winds picking up in strength it appeared that the small home was due for a summer storm.
Gathering clouds stretched out to obscure the soft glow of the moon which in turn caste wandering shadows to scurry to and fro in a mad dance upon the ground. The lone watch dog sniffed the increasingly heavy air as he stood loyal sentry by the front door. A low building rumble raised the hair on the canine’s back prompting him to seek shelter under the safety of the wooden porch. Soon light drops of water peppered the ground and roof heralding the arrival of this midnight shower.
Whistling gusts began streaming around the homestead driving the chimes into the siding with a clattering bang. Large raindrops began their assault against the shingles with a sound similar to a bagful of marbles being dumped down a stairs. The single apple tree set besides the house surrendered control of its limbs to the winds which directed them to scratch against a window. A brilliant flash lit up the sky and was followed closely by a thunderous boom which shook the very foundation as the storm reached full potential.
Inside the room whose window was currently under attack by the shacking tree a small trembling form huddled underneath a brightly colored comforter. When the thunder struck a tiny gasp escaped the blanket as it jumped a few inches into the air. Once settled back down onto the twin sized mattress a pair of amber eyes poked out of a small aperture to take in the current status of the room. Eyes wandering around the darkened room soon set the protectively wrapped occupant to whimpering softly.
Cheerfully colored toys stranded about the room took on an eerie appearance as they were cloaked in ever deepening shadows. Rasping sounds scrapped through the room as tree branches caressed the window pane in an attempt to circumvent the glass and enter inside. Rhythmic thumping pounded against ribs feeling as if the tiny heart held within was trying to escape and hide on its own. Squeezing his eyes shut and placing a hand over his frantically beating heart to insure it stayed in its proper place the raccoon cub took a deep shaky breath tiring to calm down.
Terrible white light blazed through the room throwing it into sharp contrast and was followed quickly by a crack of thunder which was felt through the bones themselves. When the shock wave reached the boy his heart lurked in his chest as it skipped a beat. Clutching the pillow in fright as tears welled in his eyes the preschooler choked out a sob. After rocking slowly in place for a minute or so he looked at the door working up the courage to venture out in search for comfort.
Finally braving the floor, the boy still wrapped in his comforter climbed out of bed and shuffled to the door. Slowly and with a large amount of squeaking the wooden door yielded to the efforts of the youth to reveal the abandoned hallway. Peering around the frame the white faced youngster gulped as he took in the long hall. Clinging desperately to the handle in fear that if he let go he would fall into the black oblivion the boy struggled to take the first step down towards his parent’s room.
The full length mirror at the end of the hall reflected the movements the windows of the living room captured putting on a spooky display for the youngster. Looking into the living room itself showed no monsters but the mirror proved other wise dispelling the specters attempts to hide. Shadowy arms and ghost like figures blocked the hallway leading into his parents’ room causing the cub to sink to his knees in fear. Looking across the hall though showed his older brother’s room with the door slightly ajar offering a reprieve to the waking nightmare.
Casting a quick glance up and down the hall to insure no monsters where ready to pounce on him the blanket clad lad leaped up and dashed over to his brother’s door. Pushing it open slowly he peered into the cluttered room letting his eyes adjust to his new surroundings. Piles of cloths littered the floor along with discarded magazines and sheet music presenting travel hazards for the boy to navigate. Taking care not to walk on anything it took the youth a few minutes to reach his older brother’s bed.
Grasping his brother’s bed sheets once he reached his final destination the frightened boy whispered his brother’s name attempting to wake the teenager. After failing to rouse his brother with whispers alone the preschool started tugging at the sheets forcefully. Mumbles and groans reached the boy’s ears as his brother slowly turned over and peeled an eye open to stare at the disturbance. Pleading eyes and a quivering lip greeted the teen as he woke, petitioning him to share his bed with his little brother.
With a sigh the teen held up his own comforter allowing his little brother to scramble up and into bed with him. Pressing up close the preschool held onto his brother in desperation whispering a thank you. Wrapping the blanket around his younger brother the teen laid an arm around the youth placing his hand over his heart.
THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA THUM-PA
Feeling the rapid tattoo he cooed reassurances trying to sooth away the terror his brother was feeling.
Suddenly another loud clap of thunder split the sky causing the little brother to jump in fear and start crying. Feeling his brother’s heart start to pound harder the teen shifted so the youth was lying on top of him with his head on his chest. With his ear placed on his brother chest the younger brother could hear the soft steady rhythm of his older brother’s heart.
LUB-DUB LUB-DUB LUB-DUB LUB-DUB LUB-DUB LUB-DUB
Focusing on his older brother’s heart beat distracted the youth from the storm outside and lulled him into a more relaxed state.
Gently stroking his little brother’s hair the teen continued to whisper encouragement. Combined with the soothing effect of his heart beat and the warmth of his arms the teen’s little brother soon stopped crying. Soon the younger brother’s heart returned to its normal pace as he started to drift asleep in his brother’s arms. Before surrendering to slumber though the youth sleepily thanked his older brother and wished him good night.
Once the teen was sure his brother was asleep he gentle rolled him back beside him. Keeping one arm draped over his sleeping brother the teen stretched and yawned settling back down for a well earned nap.
