A Moment's Respite
by the March Hare
Clouds overhead filled the sky like a well-loved, gray blanket. The wind whistled through the tall grass and shook the tree tops, rippling the forest like the beating of the Earth's heart. A nearby trickle of down-flowing water echoed from the side of the hill, and every now and then the sweet, nervous song of the branch bird would ring out over the zephyr.
Breathe in, it told her, and she did. Cool, crisp air filled her soul, and for a moment she felt lighter than air.
Breathe out, and she would, and all the troubles of the world floated away with the breeze of the coming storm.
A part of her knew her mother, her realmother, would call her to come inside before it started to rain. But for this moment, in the rare blink of hardship's eye, there was no mother, no work, no life. Lying in the grass, her hands behind her head, the rustling of the green spring grass, with the Cat on her stomach, nothing could ever go wrong.
Drip. A shock of cold hit her nose, and her eyes shot open. The sky rumbled, and a flash of lighting lit up the world like a thousand fireflies. A pitter and a patter later, and the Cat meowed in protest, got up, stretched, circled several times around in a circle, meowed again, and ran into the forest. Another crack of lightning and thunder, and the pitter-pattersfilled the air.
"Coraline!" her mother screamed. "Time to come inside!" As if she had to specify where to come.
Coraline sighed, the heaviness of the world crushing into her chest like the weight of some monstrous spider.
Hardship's open eye turned back to her, and the world rumbled, but Coraline was not ready. Not yet.
As the rain began to soak her clothes, and her body began to shiver, she closed her eyes. A world of darkness and falling tears overtook her.
Breathe in, she told herself, and she did. Cool, crisp, wet air filled her soul, and for a moment she felt lighter than air.
Breathe out, she told herself. She did, and all the troubles of the world floated away with the raging storm.
Breathe.
Thanks to Anthea Triton, Woodswolf, Joe England, and Jones "Nit" Seasight for the enthusiasm, cause we all need someone to lean on. I still love all shows of appreciation and honest critique!
P.S. Miss Seasight : I totally don't mind long, pointless, and fun reviews. I just think having any reviews at all is good.