Thunderstorms

Read the comic strip that inspired the short story here

I hate rainy season, I thought to myself, standing in front of the window in this storm. It’s not the way the sky bleeds water that irritates me. Not the cold wind or the general wetness or the puddles or the road blockage. No. I don’t even mind the light rains. It’s the heavy rains. Thunderstorms. Or firecrackers. On any occasion. New year, Christmas, Diwali, anything. I just don’t understand the point of those stuff. It brings back memories.

“How long we’re gonna be trapped here? ” I screamed. I heard Joey’s voice from the other end of the shack. “I told command of the ambush! They said hold out. They’re tasking a warship to our location! 10 MINUTES!” “WE’D BE CORPSES FOR SEVEN!” Ricky shouted back, crouched at my side. I simply nodded and turned to the tiny window, firing my rifle back at the hostiles now ambushing us. Me and my squad had been ambushed, surrounded, haunted like pigs. They were closing in on our location, and in the darkness, I couldn’t see a thing, except sudden flashes of their AKs. But I heard a lot. Fizzing rockets, cracking of bullets fired from automatic rifles, raining down on us. Bullets hit the wall of the shack, but didn’t penetrate. Grenades exploded, each successive explosion getting nearer and nearer. “What the **** is up with intelligence? They said the area was clear?” “Nothing to be done now man!” I shouted back, aiming my rifle at one of the flashes. I pulled the trigger. I had no idea if I was hitting any target or not. Just then I could see a bright flash and a flashing object hurtling towards me. “RPG! TAKE COVER! ” I screamed and leapt away. The rocket exploded where I was poking my head out, debris everywhere and–“

“Daddy? I can’t sleep” I heard a voice break my reverie. I looked down to see Pixie in her night clothes, clutching a blanket, looking up at me. “Sweetheart, is it the storm?” She nodded. “I know big girls aren’t afraid of anything but I’m not-“I stopped her and picked her up. ” Hush baby girl. It’s okay to feel scared.” I rocked her gently, in my arms. “But don’t let the fear stop you from fighting.” I reminded her. She grabbed my neck, nodding. I smiled, looking down at her. “Come, let me tuck you back in bed. Then I’ll tell you a story of a girl, just like you, who grew up to become Princess Diana!” I could see her eyes widen with excitement. “Now now!” I raised a finger as I placed her back in bed. “You have to sleep”

“And that’s how Princess Diana saved her country” I finished quietly and looked back at Pixie, now sleeping peacefully. Like a little angel. Another mission accomplished. I got up and left her room. A lot changed since my days back in Army. But there’s always a mission. To keep Pixie safe. And right now, no PTSD, no fear, nothing could stop me from protecting her.