The storm didn’t arrive gently.
It tore through the night—loud, relentless, unyielding.
⸻
Thunder rolled across the sky like something breaking open.
Lightning followed, sharp and blinding.
⸻
Elara sat upright in her bed.
⸻
Not afraid.
⸻
Just… restless.
⸻
Another c***k of thunder echoed through the house.
Stronger this time.
⸻
She exhaled and swung her legs off the bed.
⸻
Something felt off.
⸻
The house was too quiet.
⸻
And then—
She heard it.
⸻
A faint sound.
⸻
Not from outside.
⸻
From down the hall.
⸻
⸻
Aaron’s room.
⸻
⸻
Elara hesitated.
⸻
Then walked toward it.
⸻
The door wasn’t fully closed.
⸻
She pushed it open slowly—
⸻
And froze.
⸻
Aaron sat on the edge of his bed.
⸻
Shoulders tense.
Hands clenched.
⸻
Shivering.
⸻
Not from cold.
⸻
