Dan's POV
I was suddenly awoken by the sound of a sudden boom and a bright light exploding over my face.
My vision was a bit blurry, making it harder to see in the dark place. I could easily tell it was storming as another flash of lightening happened and another clap of thunder.
I sat up.
It's just a storm. It can't hurt me. It can not hurt me!
I thought a little panicky. I quickly turned on the lamp that was on the bedside table.
Gosh. I'm like a fucking kid. Afraid of storms and the dark. Fucking baby.
I thought, disgusted.
A huge clap of thunder startled me so badly that I let out a scream. I quickly clamped a hand over my mouth, not wanting to wake up the neighbors near by.
What time is it anyways?
I checked my phone and saw that it was 6:48 am. Great. An early start at a terrible day. I was off today anyways, thankfully.
I stood up slowly and made my way over to the kitchen. I could easily spot out the pile of bills that I had yet to pay. I didn't have enough money. Barely enough to cover my essential needs and rent.
I'm gonna get kicked out soon. I haven't paid rent and the bills are like a week overdue.
I groaned and flipped on the light just at the time the power went out.
No. No. Please no.
A flash of lightening took place and I ran for the living room, grabbing my jacket and leaving my apartment.
××××××××××××××
I entered the small book shop, the power here hadn't gone out and I was so so so grateful.
"Hello sir! Need a book suggestion or anything?" A fairly young boy asked me.
I looked up, "Uhm. Uh. No." I said, my tongue tripping over my words.
The boy shrugged and nodded picking up a nearby book and reading it.
I looked over and saw a chair so I quietly took a seat.
God. I'm in my damn pajamas. I must look crazy!
Another booming sound of the thunder was heard and I let out a little yelp, which unfortunately caught the boys attention.
"You okay?" The boy asked from the counter.
I nodded quickly and looked down just when it thundered again, making me jump.
A huge flash of lightening looked like it near bounced off the window next to me and I quickly jumped out of the chair a small yell escaping my lips.
Then it happened.
The store went dark.
"No. God dammit!" I muttered.
I heard a small voice in the darkness, "Uh. Sir are you okay?"
I decided not to answer and sat down on the floor, my hands covering my ears and rocked back in forth.
It's just a storm. It's just shadows. They can't hurt you. Not physically.
"Sir?" The boy asked, his voice sounding closer.
"I-is there a-anyway you could
p-possibly turn the p-power back on?" I asked. My voice small and my words all jumbled. I was crying.
I'm crying in the middle of some strangers book store!
"I don't think so sir. I don't really know how to work the breaker, and since it went out from the storm it may have broke the power line. Asides from that though. Are you...okay?" The boy said, his voice a bit softer.
Are you okay? Am I?
"Y-yes I"m f-fine." I said wiping at my eyes.
The boy sighed and I heard a bit of shuffling.
"Okay. What's your name?" The boy asked.
"Daniel." I muttered.
"Hmm. Alright. Well my name is Phillip." The boy said a bit happily.
"That's uh a n-nice name?" I said awkwardly.
"And how old are you Daniel?" Phillip asked.
"Dan. You can c-call me Dan and 18." I said, my voice calming.
"Ah. So do you live at home. With your guardians?" Phillip asked cautiously.
"No. No I don't. I uh actually have my own place. Not too far from here." I replied.
"Hmm." The boy hummed.
"What about you Phillip? How old are you?" I asked, turning the tables.
"You can call me Phil if you'd like, I'm 21." He said.
"So I'm guessing you have your own place?" I said lightly.
"Yup!" He said happily.
We sat in a comfortable silence for a while until a sound of thunder was heard, causing me to squeak loudly.
"Dan? Are you really okay?" Phil asked suddenly.
"Yes. Yeah. Yes. Fine. Uh yeah." I stammered out.
To my relief, the room became light again. The power wasn't on, but there was some sort of light source.
I noticed Phil was sitting across from me, his phone in hand. He was probably using some flashlight app.
"Better?" He asked.
I nodded, jumping at the flash of lightening.
"You're. You're scared?" Phil asked, his voice low and soft.
"Just a bit." I muttered sarcastically.
We sat in silence for a few minutes, the store lighting up due to the rising sun. The power suddenly came back on and I let out a sigh of relief.
"Well. Have a great day Dan!" Phil said happily as I walked out of the door.
I quickly made my way back home.
xxxxxxxxx
A sudden wave of emotion hit me. No one. I had no one. No one at all. I had no one to call. No one to go to. It was me against the world, and that...would be pretty lonely.
