Summer
Day 13
Year 511 AV
Storm clouds hung in the darkening sky, grey and gloomy. Rain was obviously tucked up in them because they were low to the ground and dripped at certain times. Any moment large tears of the sky could plummet to the earth, watering the ground and what few plants grew upon it in the city. A wind had picked up pace, whispering through Sunberth, whipping around buildings and pushing those who went against it as if the gusts were hoping to force them into succumbing under the strong will. Almost running were those who gave way and went the same direction.
Many ventured out wishing and praying for their safety. Those who were smart enough to realize it would be a perfect day for the thieves to attack and stayed inside would remain safe. The simple decision might have saved their lives, even. A perfect opportunity was it for the prospective thieves and assassins. The wind would carry any screams made by the victims and, since there so few people out, it was most likely the body would not be found until the following day. Canali was one of the few who were unlucky enough to outside during this time. Maybe it would be better suited called naïve.
After bartering for half an hour over a pound of apples and their worth, much less which ones she actually wanted, Canali had picked out four or five large, delicious looking red apples. The merchant's wares were bruised, but these fruits had barely any marks on them. Towards the end, the merchant had thrown an extra apple into the bunch Canali had picked out, just so long as she bought and paid for the food. Oh, and left. Apparently overlooking a merchant's goods for a long period of time chased away prospective buyers. Who knew? Giving into the irritation, Canali paid the amount due and tucked the apples in her backpack before strutting off for home after a glance at the oncoming storm. More shopping Canali had to do, but the sellers were closing shop early.
Shifting into a quicker pace, Canali glanced over her shoulder warily. No one was behind her but the thought of being all alone without a person in sight was praising the paranoia. Did a shadow move or was it simply a figment of her imagination? Ominously, thunder rolled overhead. Below her clad feet, the ground vibrated in response. A gust of wind brought the smell of rain with it, promising and threatening at the same time. All around her, light was fading quickly. Shuddering, Canali searched for a quicker way to go home. Unfortunately, without taking the dangerous alley ways, there was no quicker way.
Loudly, a clap of thunder shook everything around Canali. Dirt and dust was vibrated off of the buildings and tumbled to the ground. Lighting the sky was a lightning strike; colored purple and white, contracting against the gloomy sky. A blanket of cold water fell from above. The weeds on the ground sucked up the wetness, relishing it. Canali, on the other hand, was soaked through within seconds. Knowing she had to push on towards home, she kept moving against the raindrops which smacked into her face. Wet and wavy, a strand of hair clung to Canali's cheek, wrapping around her nose and blurring her vision. Unsuccessfully, she tried to remove it with her fingers. The piece of hair flew right back, forced to by the howling wind. A light growl slid from Canali's pale lips in frustration.
Giving into common sense, Canali began to look for someplace to seek shelter until the storm passed. There was no way she could make it back to the house in this strong of a storm. Running along, Canali was aware of her aching legs and the chill which had invaded her body. Ducking under the doorstep of an old house, Canali sighed in relief. At least now she was slightly out of the wind and rain. Yes, droplets still hit her, but not nearly as many as before. Tucking as far back as possible, against the old and peeling wooden door, Canali nearly screamed when it gave way with a loud groan. Obviously the door hadn't been used in awhile.
Landing on her bum, Canali seemed dazed for a moment before pushing to her feet. Dusting off her small hands on her pants, Canali pushed the humongous door shut. A resounding click came from it. Though she knew it would limit her seeing ability, the lightning was coming fast enough to see. Besides, there really was no reason to leave the door open-- The rain would coat the flooring and that would be extremely rude. Turning to face the house she had so accidentally fallen into, Canali almost gasped. Boards lay all over the place, covering holes in the flooring and making makeshift ramps over certain areas. Everything was crumbling and seemed half rotted. Even parts of the roof itself were missing, caved in and decorating the floor below. Most likely hiding holes and gaps which could confuse and mislead a creature to certain death.
Deciding it was safer just to stay where she was, Canali lowered herself back down against the door, on the dirty floor. A whistling wind still echoed in the room, but at least it was calmed slightly and barely noticeable. Loud claps of thunder echoed and vibrated the broken floor; lightning lit up the room. Canali preferred it when it was dark. There was less damage to see and the thoughts of who had lived here once upon a time no longer appeared. A faint scent of death and fire lingered. Who had lived in this house? An innocent old man living out his last days or a young villain trying to hide? Did they die in what Canali presumed to be a fire? Had they simply been trying to keep warm during a cold winter, made a small fire and it had gotten out of hand? Had flames licked their skin and blistered it, cooking them as one might a rotisserie chicken?
Pushing her thoughts away, Canali stared into the darkness. Every flicker of lightning startled her and every creak of the old boards brought thoughts of somebody in there with her. Hugging her knees, Canali rocked back and forth, wishing the storm would pass quicker. This place was simply too creepy. Trying to keep warm in her soaked through clothing, Canali shed her top layers before setting them to the side, cautious of setting them in a hole. Shivering, she hugged her body close, relishing in what little warmth was being revived in her numb limbs. A searing heat was beginning in her toes and fingers, from the tips inward. After a few moments of wondering and poking around, Canali figured the blood was circulating beneath her skin again. Like it was supposed to.
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