I’m thrilled another story just came in from Sue Wickstead for the challenge! Sue graciously allowed me to debut it here. I will add any late responses to the original post, and you can always find them on my website if you miss any.
Lonely girl on a cliff
by Sue Wickstead
The rains had fallen all night. The constant howling of the winds had added to the noise. With flashes of light and thunderous booms sleep had come erratically.
Nestleing down under her covers Bella tried to sleep. She seemed to doze but each time she awoke she could still hear the rain falling heavily on the roof of her house. At least she was warm and dry and out of the chilly blasts of the wind.
Turning over she snuggled down further as the sound of the storm raged on.
Come morning she still felt tired. It was gloomy and dark outside and she was tempted to stay tucked up in bed at least here she was safe and warm.
At least the rain was falling less heavily now as wearily she roused herself and got up. Drawing back the curtains she looked out at the soggy scene.
The dark grey clouds still swirled overhead, threatening to drop more rain at any moment. The gusting winds blew the clouds about rolling and stirring them up.
In the distance she could see the occasional flash of thunder and counting the seconds to the arrival of the thunder clap she was unsure whether the storm was passing on or whether trapped by the distant hills was ready to roll back once more.
As another flash of light shot across the scythe exploding boom definitely sounded closer once more.
She watched as Mother Nature seemed to play a game with the weather.
The clouds overhead continued to swirl getting nearer and blacker. Winds were again picking up a pace.
Bella took a deep breath. The storm was trapped, it couldn’t pass the high hills. There was a definite feeling of fear in the atmosphere.
It was time to call on the powers of ‘The Weather Witch’.
Bella had studied and learnt the law of the weather but shied away from using it.
Nature could be unpredictable, so she had used her ‘powers’ when absolutely necessary and only when no-one was around.
But the fear in the wind and the rain was growing, she could feel it all around her. She knew she had to at least try.
If she could calm the storm she would be able to smile to herself knowingly. But, if she couldn’t no-one would know that she had failed. This would be a test of her powers.
Bella picked up her cloak and wrapping it around her she pulled her hood over her head and headed down to the viaduct over the ravine.
Below, the normally gentle river which would tumble along lazily, now had swelled with its waters swirling around the columns of the arched way below. It certainly wasn’t a lazy journey today.
As Bella stood on the viaduct, she could feel the angry storm building up once more.
The dark grey clouds were rolling back toward her.
A flock of black crows rose into the sky cawing loudly as the wind buffeted them along.
The hood of her cloak fell from her head as the winds picked up once more. Her long hair blew behind her.
She stood firm and looked up at the skies above, swirling and rumbling ready to drop their pouring rain once more.
Looking up at the skies above she took a deep breath. She had to at least try to quell the fury of this storm.
She felt alone and vulnerable but at least there would be no witness to her success or her failure.
Taking a deep breath she whispered words of the wather. She lifted her hands high and called. She began to chant words to calm the skies. She clapped her hands and clicked her fingers to try to break the anger of the storm.
The winds swished around her as if they would push her from the viaduct and into the swirling river waters below.
But, Bella stood firm, closing her eyes and chanting.
She motioned up the valley where the hills formed a gap and she pushed her hands before her.
The gusting winds blew around her once more but the rain didn’t come.
A flash of light broke the black clouds and the trailing boom of thunder boomed off as it left.
Bella stood and watched as the black clouds squeezed through the gap in the distant hills. As the storm moved on.
Bella stayed motionless watching as the storm receded. The distant thunder and lightening becoming further away now.
One more flash from beyond the hill tops seemed to echo a farewell.
The dark grey clouds began to lighten.
Bella had stayed long enough and turning headed for home.
Bella smiled to herself.
Did I do that?
No-one would ever know, not even Bella.
But perhaps, just perhaps, it could have been her, ‘The Weather Witch’.
A lovely story, Sue. Thanks for sharing, Denise.
Glad you enjoyed the story Robbie. It was certainly a prompt that captured my imagination.
I’m so glad Sue joined it, and I could share it, Robbie 🙂 xo
It is a beautiful short story. Thank you Sue and Denise.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it
I sure enjoyed it too, Thomas:) Thanks for stopping by!
Such lovely story.
Thank you
It was, wasn’t it Selma? So glad I could share it here. Xo
A fine entry, Sue, and thank you for presenting the story, Denise!
Something about the picture got my imagination going.
Excellent!
Yes, so happy Sue shared this with us, Grant 🙂
Thank you so much Denise for sharing the story.
I love creative writing and sometimes I am inspired by the prompt give.
The atmospheric image that was this weeks prompt certainly got my imagination going as well as linking it to my ‘Weather Witch’ writing.
Like a good prompt it certainly seemed to nudge me along.
I am so happy you joined in and allowed me to share your story. I love when prompts or images inspire us to create where we normally wouldn’t. Even better when it ties into a current project. I look forward to reading your Weather Witch collection, Sue!
I like Sue’s story, a lot. Thanks for sharing it. There have been nights I might have wished for this kind of help.
And, as I’ve been adding lately, I’m sorry if this comment is duplicated
It a fun one I’m glad she shared with us, Dan 🙂 I think Bella would be very useful with some of the storms we had lately. No worries with duplicates, comments have a mind of their own.
Thank you Dan. Yes Bella is certainly needed at the moment.
Perhaps it’s her alter ego taking over at the moment (No not Bella!)
A wonderful take on the prompt, Sue. So glad you shared this late arrival, Denise. A fun fantasy!
It was, Diana 🙂 I didn’t want this story not to be shared!
🙂 I’m hoping to play in March. The book “to-do” is finally winding down.
Thank you. The story just seemed to push me along
Funny how that happens. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this great story, Denise. 😊
Was very happy to share this fun take on the image, Timothy 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it
What a fun story! I think Bella did it. 🙂 That’s what I’m going with. Thanks for sharing, Denise!
I think Bella did it, too, Jan! Now we need a Bella to control our weather too…lol
Shh, Bella knows
I can see why you had to post it here.
Yes, didn’t want it to go unread! A fun story, thanks, Jacqui.
I was honored to have my story shared.
Nicely done, Denise. I love the idea of a Weather Witch. I have used a Kitchen Witch before but haven’t considered the weather. Clever you!
Thanks, Noelle, but this was Sue’s story, not mine, I just wanted to share it. I have used a Kitchen Witch too, fun twist with the weather, wasn’t it?
A kitchen witch sounds good. I have a friend I call Helly Welly the garden witch but she is just someone I chat to occasionally for answers to garden thoughts
Awesome story, Sue! So happy you shared it, Denise!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thanks, Yvette:) I’m really glad too!
I like how Sue slowly builds up the tension in the story. Thanks for sharing it Denise.
I was pleased how the story unfolded.