Texas thunderstorms rarely come peacefully, especially during the summer. Within half an hour, an otherwise tranquil suburban neighborhood transforms into a calamity that would make the devil himself shudder. And it was one hell of a night.
Kara ignored the rain pounding against the walls of her home as she tucked her two young children in bed. It was far past their bedtime, yet the children somehow had the energy to whine, energy that was not shared by their mother.
“Mom! Can't we sleep with you?” Annabelle, the older of the two, asked.
“Not tonight, sweetie, mommy has to get up early tomorrow.”
“But I'm scared,” Dylan added. It had become a two-front assault, and Kara was tempted to raise the white flag, but she knew that if she didn't sleep well tonight she wouldn't be able to impress her interviewer, and she needed the job – dearly.
“I'm sorry, Dylan, but your sister can keep you company tonight. I have to get some sleep. I'll wake you up tomorrow for school, okay?” She kissed them both on the forehead, and backtracked to the door, hoping a quick exit would put an end to the argument. “I love you both. Good night!”
“Nighty night, mommy,” the kids echoed uneasily.
Kara flicked the light switch off, easing the door shut. Lightning flashed through the bedroom window, giving her one last glimpse of her kids' frightened faced. Shortly after, thunder rocked the house. The children squealed. Even though they were afraid, Kara found it amusing. They would be fine. With one last tour through each room, she turned the lights off and locked all the doors. Just as she was about to collapse, she found her bedroom and made her way to the bed, not bothering to undress. The pillow caressed her face as it conformed to its shape. Kara set the alarm to go off in a mere five hours. Not ideal. The pattering of the rain on the window lulled her to sleep, conjuring vague images of dreams yet to come. She said a short prayer and succumbed to her drowsiness.
It was the last rest she would get for weeks.
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