Wind shield wipers rhythmically trying to keep pace with the rain. Like a song unable to continue to the next line. Headlights shining out but illuminating only a few small paces ahead. Splashes of vision. The road a shiny asphalt river. The thunder rumbled overhead, hunger pangs rolling behind charcoal clouds.
The Lightening was sudden. A flash that made me jump, almost slam my foot on the brake. There was a figure standing at the roadside. Tall and drenched as if the rain was desperately trying to wash him away. If I hadn’t slowed down at that point I might have missed him. No one should be out on a night like this, what if it was me. I pulled up alongside and opened the window, yelling across rain that suddenly pelted through. “Do you need a lift?!” He nodded. His face slick and cold looking. Hollow cheek bones, sharply defined. A long overcoat clung to his narrow frame like an oily second skin.
He Got in. He smelt of cold air and dampness. His face angular and pale as parchment.
“Thank you.” A voice that sounded unused and scratchy.
“Where you heading? Terrible night to be on the road.”
Thunder cracked again overhead. The stranger mumbled something.
“Oh I used to do that…count the miles between the thunder…where are you going?”
Thunder again, closer.
“This will do fine.”
“But it’s nowhere…are you sure?”
“Here.”
I stopped the car at the side of the road and he got out. Blackness…rain…nowhere.
Lightening abruptly pierced the dark. I saw the man reach up a hand, an arm…to grab..no..that’s not possible. He grabbed the lightening? He was gone! I reached for the torch that I kept for emergencies. Went outside, scanning for him. Strobes of light sinking into the dark. Rain down my neck, in my eyes..nothing..no one..It wasn’t possible.
I got back in the car. The windshield wipers still singing their one note song. I never told anyone. What would I say?
Fox and Starlight 