John squinted out the windshield. Rain pelted down, a loud clattering on the roof. The sky was black, and thunder rolled overhead. The storm had been sudden, but heavy. The streets were flooding, only vans could get through some areas. Cars were stuck, people standing on top of them, trying to call emergency services. John looked at Alexander. He was looking at the streets, eyes wide, frozen in a fetal position with his seat belt wrapped dangerously around his neck.
"Close your eyes, love." John said, gripping onto the wheel. He wanted to help those poor people so badly, but he couldn't leave Alex to fend for himself. He kept his eyes on the road, trying his best to ignore the stranded people yelling out and waving to him.
He looked back at the man in the passenger seat. Alex had ignored his instructions and was still staring in terror.
John sighed. Alex looked over at him, his brown eyes filled with tears. "What is your name?" John asked softly.
Alex mumbled something incoherent in response. "You need to speak up dear." John reminded him softly.
"Al'ander Ham'ton." Alex said quietly.
"Good. Now, Alexander, what's your favourite colour?" John guided the car onto a nature strip, driving over it. The car jostled, startling his passenger. Alex's breathing grew faster, and he began to swing his head around, alert. His hands began ferociously pulling at his shirt. John gritted his teeth, trying to get the car back onto the road.
"Alex, love, what is your favourite colour?" He repeated.
"Don' 'ave un." He responded.
Alex's eyes still darted back and forth, though the tugging had ceased. The rain was still pelting down, but Alex had become somewhat used to it by now. Fear still lurked in his gaze, but it wasn't as prominent.
They were driving slowly, but they were definitely making progress. They were almost home.
Then the lightning struck. The white bolt hit a nearby tree, and it fell. John saw it, and tried to move, but couldn't. He couldn't go anywhere in time. The trunk landed squarely on top of the car, making the roof cave in. Alex screamed. He screamed until he couldn't, until his throat became raw. He could vaguely feel a hand grabbing his, then an arm wrapping around him, untangling him from his seat belt. Two arms wrapped around him, and he was lifted out of his seat, into the rain.
He tried to scream again, but when he couldn't he began writhing. The arms lost their grip on him, and he fell into the water. The liquid entered his mouth as he gasped from the air being knocked out of him. The water filled his lungs. He was lifted again, the rain belting his face mercilessly. He coughed weakly, the water dripping out of his mouth and snot covering his face.
His chin was placed against something cold and wet and one of the arms left his body. A minute later, he felt his back being laid on a soft, dry surface. He continued to cough, water still spilling from his parted lips. Something swiped across his face, drying him off slightly. He opened his eyes. A familiar face looked down at him, worried.
"J-John?" He whispered. The head bobbed up and down, the arms wrapping themselves around him again. He was placed in a sitting position on his lover's lap.
John stared into Alexander's eyes. He had a cut along his forehead. Scratches, grazes and bruises decorated his pale skin, their warm, rich colours in contrast with the cold, dark atmosphere.
Alex buried his face into the crook of John's neck. He began sobbing. John murmured sweet nothings in his ear, rubbing Alex's back gently. "Alex."
The love of his life moved his head slightly, his eye peeking out from underneath John's chin. "Y-Yes?"
