Spiraling Storm (Book 1 of the Storm Chasers Series)

Chapter 9

After hiding quietly in the below and taking occasional naps, it faded to night again. Crow decided to set up a little bed by himself, using his bookbag as a pillow. The two boys started to chatter again, since the walking overhead had died down. As darkness came again, they started telling old stories.

Crow was always good at telling stories. In his mind, at least. He could give life to the characters through emotion and acting. Raven seemed genuinely amused with it, giving Crow a feeling of validation.

"My mom was amazing. She told me most of the stories I know," Crow marveled.

"I see," Raven replied.

"My favorite story she ever taught me was the day the storms came. Do you know that one?"

"No, not really. My parents didn't tell me stories."

"Oh! Well, I'll tell you about this one."

The wind howled in the mid-winter frost. Two men were out, searching for shelter. Relieved at the new safety, they rested together in the skimpy warmth. It was dark, making it hard for both of them to see. After an hour of resting, the men heard a voice.

"What do you men wish for? If it is pure, I will grant said wish."

Both men were skeptical at first, talking together about the matter. The former man, who was from a place of great deserts, contemplated asking for unlimited freshwater for the whole earth. The second man, who was from a place of great darkness, asked for electricity for everyone. This was so all could have unlimited sources of light.

The entity approached them both again, repeating the question. "What do you men wish for?"

The first man, with pureness in his heart, answered the question. "I wish for water for the whole world."

"With this, I shall call you Rai," deemed the entity from the dark. "You will dictate the rains."

"What do you wish for?" The entity asked the other man.

"I wish for electricity, light for all. As well as those who oppose me to be struck by the lightning," The second man replied, thinking for himself.

"With this, I will call you Elektra," The entity said, not knowing the intentions of this man. "You will dictate the lightning. This means with both of you on the earth, there will be storms in your disagreements."

The men agreed, standing now. Elektra, in a thirst for power, lit the room to see this being. What appeared was a rattlesnake, deformed and ugly. He shot the power granter with a bolt of lightning, killing them.

Rai was upset with this. They both came from two sides of the world, but he thought they'd both agree on this. He angrily dug into Elektra, getting in a fight with him. They fought for hours, until both were beaten and bruised. After they fought, the two men parted ways. They agreed to never see each other again, upset by the killing of the wish granter.

"That's why it's always storming," Crow concluded.

"It's interesting how Elektra's name is in it," Raven pointed out.

"Yeah, it is! I never thought of it until now. It probably isn't true, then."

"Not entirely. Perhaps the story was made to elaborate a story."

"For what reason?"

"So maybe somebody could solve the issue later."

"Like a prophecy?"

"Prophecies don't exist. More like a clue, to solve a cold case."

"Huh. Aye, maybe those coyotes are right, then!"