LIGHT IN DARKNESS 



THE STORM

Feeling slightly resentful, Pierce moved to the bedroom. It was a colourful, warm room flooded by afternoon sunshine, but right now it was chilly and cold. Sheet lightning was flaring wildly on the horizon.
    A sliding window had been left open and the blind was banging hard against the soft blue painted wall. Impatiently, he slammed the window, wincing as the thunder rumbled directly overhead. The window had been shut just in time. Heavy rain slammed against it, and torrents of hail and water bounced from the neighbouring roofs.
    Pierce was looking at his bride of three years. Soon after he had married her, there had been a similar storm. He recalled how cute and childlike she had seemed, curled under the covers. Now, heavily pregnant, Lois looked like a small beached whale. Trying to hide his irritation, he sought to draw her out, speakingly coaxingly. 
"Come on, Lou dear," Pierce tried, patting her blanket. "It's okay." But his soothing words were belied by the increasing fury of the storm. He saw a nearby tree bend at an almost impossible angle, leaves and twigs scattering like confetti.
    Suddenly, there was fearsome crack, so audible even above the storm, and the tree was totally broken and splintered. Pierce glanced down at the now silent woman and saw a darkening stain.


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