It was a warm, still night and barely a sound could be heard as a lone figure passed through bushes and between the delicately extended branches. It was Summer - a true Summer - and the air was thick with a heady cocktail of the local flora. Padding lightly on the mossy undergrowth the figure weaved in and out of the trees and foliage without a sound. A thunderstorm was building; if he stopped and sensed it this one could feel the impending energy building in the air around him. While he knew it was not wise to be out in the wood before a storm of this kind, the man was inexorably drawn towards the lake by the eminating glow of the full moon on it's surface. He gravitated towards a favourite spot, under a huge old willow tree near the water's edge. He felt emancipated here.
A fork of lightening lit the clearing, momentarily illuminating his jagged, weathered face. He counted under his breath until he heard the great rumble from the heavens: "One, Two, Three..." he whispered before thunder finally shook the air.
"Close now, huh?" said a voice from behind him.
The man jumped up and stumbled backwards, nearly toppling into the water. "Shian you scared me! What are you doing here, you know you shouldn't be out!"
"Easy... I just came to make sure you're okay. You are okay, right?"
"Yeah- yeah I'm fine... You just startled me."
"Sorry, I just..."
"Its alright. Here, sit down. It should start any-"
There was a brief pause where silence hung in the air in anticipation, before the first few raindrops began pattering on the leaves and then the surface of the water beside them.
"- there."
"How did you..?"
He smiled. A soft, knowing, playful smile.
Shian closed her eyes and put her head back, letting the summer rain fall on her face, chest and all around her. The past few weeks had not been easy for any of them, let alone her. Dak could cope, he always did. He found his own ways...usually by retreating to the lake, or forest, and occasionally disappearing for longer periods on his 'walkabouts'. Unfortunately this was not a privelage Shian could afford. Not now, not any more.
