When the Lightning Came for Us

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I got home from work, haggard and ready to relax. I kicked off my shoes and changed into a tee shirt and some sweat pants, throwing on my fluffy slippers before figuring out what to eat. I didn’t have it in me to cook for real, so I tossed some tortilla chips and shredded cheese on a plate. Microwave nachos would do in a pinch. I grabbed a hard cider from my mostly bare fridge and plopped down on the couch to catch up on world events. I snagged my worn throw blanket to toss over me. I really needed to get the windows checked because the breeze in here was always too much. But if I’m honest, I didn’t have the money to fix up any part of this crappy little shack.

The lovely news anchor looked fabulous but solemn as she delivered her speech. “Scientists say that the number of deaths by lightning strike has increased exponentially over the last two weeks, though the cause of the increased pattern has yet to be determined due to lack of data. This pattern seems to hold true for the entirety of the United States of America as well as Europe. Canada and South America have also confirmed an increase, though Asia and Africa have been silent on the matter. The United States Government now has a team in place to investigate the dramatic spike in violent acts of nature, but they have released a statement assuring all citizens that this is absolutely not a case of terrorism.” Well, that’s reassuring.

She continued, looking even graver. “Authorities are suggesting that unless required for work or necessary errands, it’s best to stay indoors as much as possible until the cause has been determined. Though the lightning strikes are more prevalent during storms, there have been a few cases when there were no clouds or bad weather of any kind reported in the area. Channel seven news will continue to update our viewers regularly as this story progresses” All these news outlets are the same, overdramatize just for attention. They didn’t even provide statistics on how many more there were, I’m sure it’s all bullshit anyway.

I flipped the channel until I landed on reruns of a sitcom I had seen every episode of three times over to numb the ache of the day. I placed my empty plate on the stack of other used paper plates on my coffee table and pulled the blanket up to my neck. Some days this desolate place was peaceful, but most days it was just depressing and lonely. But, it was better than the alternative. I could still be living with HIM. Nothing was worse than that.

A few hours later I woke up to my cell phone ringing. Peeking at the time stamp before I answered, I realized I had slept through almost the whole night on the couch and never plugged it in. I was lucky I had 30% remaining but I would have to remember to bring my charger to work. I sighed, knowing this call was going to start my day out worse than I’d like. “What, mom?”

“Is that how you greet your mother? I just called to tell you to be careful. The scientists on TV are saying it’s dangerous to be out and about and I know you’re going to have your usual attitude towards how ridiculous they are, but you should really consider staying home.”

“Are you going to pay my bills for me mom?” The silence said it all. “I didn’t think so, so regardless I have to go to work. Plus, the news always makes everything sound so much worse than reality, it was probably only one more strike of lightning than usual and they’re blowing it out of proportion. I’ll be okay.”

“Fine, but text me or your father that you’re home safe tonight.” Like I’m 12 years old. They can’t be bothered to visit me but suddenly she cares?

When I got to work, the weather phenomenon was all that anyone was talking about. I rolled my eyes as I took a seat in my cheap staples chair and glared at my boring, gray cubicle walls. One day I’d find something better, but this place was easy to apply to and paid enough for my solitary life, so it would do for now.

Though it was hushed, I could overhear the conversation in the cubicle next to mine, the walls didn’t muffle enough. “Janie in accounting think’s it’s an act of God, or God’s, like we’ve pissed them off with our way of life.” I knew the whiny, high pitched voice of gossipy Greta better than anyone in here, I had to listen to it all day long.

A male voice cut in with, “She would, the psycho. Gene in shipping thinks it’s some rich scientist or inventor just fucking with all of us. He thinks they’ll put some kind of ransom out to stop the attacks. I’m not sure even Elon Musk is smart or powerful enough to do it worldwide. Personally, I think mother nature has just had enough.”

I snorted a little too loudly and the chatty duo split up. Without any statistics, I was still chalking it up to it being a tiny anomaly and nothing to worry about. Mother nature may be a bitch, but she was random and fair. I slogged through the day, completing all my assigned sales calls and fielding a few customer questions while I trudged through my ever-growing list of emails before it was finally time to go home. As I packed up my briefcase, I saw a number of employees gathering around the bay of windows overlooking our parking lot, watching the gathering storm clouds, cowering with fear in their eyes. Gossipy Greta even looked a bit shaky. Pathetic.

I headed out to my car and drove home without seeing a single lightning bolt. As was my routine, I kicked off my shoes and changed into my cozy clothes for another highly appetizing plate of microwavable leftovers and another hard cider, assuming my spot on the couch with my warm blanket. I smashed my can down on the coffee table to kill the single ant that was scouring the remnants of my previous day’s meals, I really needed to clean this place up now that it was the weekend. I’d do it tomorrow.

Flipping on the television, I realized they were in the middle of an update on the ridiculous weather situation. “…although scientists still haven’t figured out the cause behind the increased strikes, authorities have analyzed the victims and discovered there are some similarities. It seems that every last one of them had a dark past, a suspected sinister criminal history, though most of them had not been prosecuted. We’re not talking minor crimes here, but serial killers, murderers and rapists. Upon investigation of their deaths, evidence was found in their homes confirming their guilt. Despite the United States government maintaining that this is not a terrorist attack, it does seem likely that these strikes are targeted for the immoral, making all of us wonder exactly who or what could be behind this…”

I didn’t hear what came next because I flipped to another channel as quickly as possible, the tiny hairs on my arms raising in alarm. Targeted. My mother’s concern rang through me, because for once she might actually be on to something. But surely, nobody knew of my past. I had made sure of it. It was something I lived with every day, a burden only I knew I bared, and it weighed on me constantly. Could whoever was behind these attacks have found out? Perhaps it was a God, or mother nature, but would my crime be forgiven? I wasn’t sure I wanted to test it out. I was also glad it was Friday, that left me two days to figure out how to get out of going to work the next week without anyone getting suspicious, it was just too dangerous to risk and I wanted to live.

Regaining my composure and bravado, and ignoring the tight cramp in my stomach, I flipped the television back on to see if I could gather any more information about the cause and victims to determine how high my risk was.  “…the number of strikes has increased a frightening amount more since our coverage last night. We have received confirmation that it has reached all continents, less Antarctica, causing riots and looting in many of the less civilized countries.” The video began to show these heinous acts across the globe. Windows being smashed, items stolen by hordes of people, acts of violence towards each other and the authorities that attempted to maintain civility and order. The world was in chaos.

 “The United States and Canada as well as most European countries have increased security in major cities as a precaution and have asked us to warn citizens to stay home for the foreseeable future. Work places are being ordered to close unless they are considered essential like hospitals, police, fire, grocery stores…”

The broadcast cut out totally without warning. I tried flipping to other channels assuming technical difficulty with channel seven news, but there was nothing. All stations were gone. Just great. I had learned absolutely nothing that could help me. I’d just have to be a hermit until television came back. I thought my heart was going to jump right out of my chest as I wiped the sweat gathering on my palms on my blanket. I had to find something to do to keep my mind off it. Peering down at the mess on my coffee table, I knew that cleaning this place up would be the perfect distraction.

I cleared the paper plates and the three more ants that had appeared for the smorgasbord and threw them in the trash, washing the few metal utensils that had accumulated more mold than dried food. I wiped the table and counters of my bungalow down and decided I would tackle the bathrooms next when I realized I should probably take the garbage out. But that meant going outside, and through my grime covered kitchen window, I could see it looked stormy. Perhaps I would just throw it out on the porch for now. I squished it down and tied it up, heading to the front door.

The doorbell rang right as I went to open it. I froze, ice coursing through my veins as I began to quiver. I never had visitors, and I knew with absolute certainty my parents wouldn’t have made the 12-hour drive. “Wh-who’s there?” Though my voice was loud enough to penetrate the flimsy wooden door, it lacked the confidence I had hoped to project.

A deep, but warm male voice responded. “I’m so sorry to bother you, but my car broke down and there’s a hell of a storm going on. My cell phone lost all reception and your house is the only one anywhere near here. I was hoping you’d be kind enough to let me shelter here until cell service comes back up or the authorities find the note I left in the window? I won’t be a bother, I promise.”

I rested my hand on the doorknob, how many times had I been warned as a kid to never let strangers into our home. But if the situation were reversed, I would hope someone would be kind enough to help me, and given the state of the world… I mean it’s not like he was here to rob me. Anyone could tell on first sight I had nothing to take.

“Hello, are you still there miss? I’d offer to just stay on your porch but the awning doesn’t seem to be offering much covering.”

I reluctantly opened the door to find a tall and very soaked man on my porch, I gestured with my arm for him to enter and threw the bag of garbage out into the bushes, quickly closing the door behind him.

“I’m so sorry miss, but thank you so much for your hospitality. I was so grateful when I saw your place, I haven’t been able to get cell service for hours. My name’s Jake.” He had pulled the hood down of his black jacket to reveal a very handsome face with kindly blue eyes and short, spiky hair. His face was covered in stubble, but his smile made me feel at ease as he reached his hand out to shake mine.”

“Moira.” I shook his lightly calloused hand, which had a firm but gentle grasp. “The television stations are down as well. I’m afraid my place doesn’t offer much, but at least you’ll be dry. I may have some clothes about your size if you’d like to warm up. My fireplace doesn’t work and there’s quite a draft, but the dry clothes will help I think.”

“I’d greatly appreciate that, Moira, but don’t go out of your way on my account.”

“It’s no problem.” I went into my bedroom and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt that still remained from when HE lived with me. I couldn’t bring myself to part with all of his stuff in case... well that doesn’t matter. I handed him the outfit and pointed out the bathroom, though I wasn’t sure that was necessary as it was the only other room with a door in my place.

“Are these your husbands? Will he mind?”

“No, I’m not married. They belong to an ex; I can guarantee he won’t care.”

He gave me a big grin and went in the bathroom to change. I noticed he didn’t close the door all the way so he could keep making small talk about how crazy the weather was. Unable to control myself, I took a peek in. The small mirror over the sink just large enough to give me an eyeful of sculpted abs and biceps as he stripped off his soaking wet shirt. He caught me, but offered me a wink rather than a scolding. I blushed and turned away. The icy chill in my veins from earlier was replaced by warmth pooling in my belly instead, perhaps this was the distraction I needed. He seemed harmless enough, I just hoped his charm wasn’t negating my good sense.

He exited my bathroom, chuckling. “Really, Moira, I don’t mind you watching. I’m sure it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”

I blushed again, glad for the distraction, but not brave enough to continue on with the subject. “We don’t get many police vehicles out here and I’m afraid I don’t have a landline and my cell also has no service, I just checked it. You might be stuck here until the storm passes, but if you’re hungry I can make something for us to pass the time.”

“That would be delightful, maybe we can light some candles and make it a real date.”

My lips tipped up as I dropped my eyes to the ground, it had been a very long time since someone attempted to flirt with me. I wasn’t sure I remembered how to flirt back. I nodded and went over to my kitchen area, only separated from the living room by the island that served as my dining table. I knew I didn’t have much in the fridge, so it was either a frozen meal or improvising from my pantry, I decided on the latter. I grabbed two packets of shrimp flavored ramen and the few eggs I had in my fridge that I hoped weren’t expired.

Just as I started the water boiling, Jake joined me in the kitchen after getting the few items he had with him sorted and plugging in his phone to charge. I briefly wondered how long the power would last with the cable and cell phone service down, but then panicked that I jinxed myself.

“Would you like some help, can I set bowls out or anything? Maybe get a drink for you?” He was so gentlemanly, which I certainly wasn’t used to. Maybe this was some cruel joke in such a dark time, or maybe what I had done was forgivable. It wasn’t something I wanted to think about at the moment.

I went back to the sink to rinse the bowl I had cracked the eggs into and wistfully stared out the window, just as a bolt of lightning struck the front yard. I dropped the ceramic bowl and it shattered into a million pieces in the sink. He started talking, but it was tough to hear at first with how loudly my ears were ringing.

“Are you okay, Moira? Here, let me clean that up for you. Take a seat, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. I take it you’re not a fan of lightning?” He grabbed the thick rubber washing gloves I had laid out next to the sink and did just as he said he would, carefully cleaning it all up as I sat at the island, trying to calm my nerves.

“It’s always scared the hell out of me and now they seem so much worse. So much more ominous.”

He removed the gloves and came over to inspect my hands, ensuring I wasn’t cut. I was lucky I hadn’t been. He surprised me by hugging me to him, and it was the safest I had ever felt. “Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.” Two more lightning strikes blasted, one on either side of the house, and my spine stiffened. Jake kissed the top of my head and gently ran his hands up and down my back, his intention of calming me having some effect, but far less than he was aiming for.

“It’s like they’re getting closer,” I mumbled into his chest.

He huffed a laugh into the top of my head before pulling away. “You might just be paranoid because of your fear. Let’s eat and chat a bit away from the windows, I’m sure that will make you feel better.” There wasn’t any space in my tiny house far enough away from the windows, but I was glad he was so levelheaded because I had totally forgotten about the ramen that was within seconds of boiling over. He added the seasoning packet and grabbed two more bowls from the cupboard to dole out our servings as I grabbed us each a soda can.

While we ate our not-so-gourmet meals, we chatted over the normal first date-ish small talk. I discovered he was a lawyer, which explained his levelheadedness, charm and calm demeanor. I also learned that he was married for 10 years and got divorced about a year ago because his wife couldn’t handle the intensity of his job, but then he wound up retiring shortly after. Surprising, because if I had to guess, I’d say he was in his late forties, only a handful of years older than me. I’m sure he was thrilled to be trapped in this hell hole with all that money, but he never expressed any disgust in my lifestyle. Maybe it was pity.

The more we talked, the more he flirted and I finally felt brazen enough to do so back. Occasionally he would even brush a piece of hair behind my ear when it fell in my face or gently touch my arm and I felt so at ease that I hadn’t even noticed the lightning strikes getting closer and far more frequently, until one sounded like it hit the house. I was glad my hands were empty this time, but it didn’t stop me from almost falling off the couch. Of course, Jake caught me, as if my clumsiness hadn’t been embarrassing enough.

He pulled me into him and rubbed my hair, telling me I would be alright and he’d make sure I stayed safe. We decided that playing one of my old board games would be a good idea to kill the time, and hopefully the competition would keep my mind off things. Though it did, his little glances and affectionate touches and flirtatious comments were what really helped. Neither of us even remembered to keep an eye out for any other cars going down my street to help with his vehicle and the world’s problems didn’t seem to matter anymore. I hadn’t felt this way in decades.

As the game got more competitive, the heat between us ramped up as well until he finally looked deep into my eyes. He chuckled at my intensity towards the game, then leaned in slowly, allowing me the right to stop him if I so chose, before he gently kissed my lips. I felt my entire body heat as I leaned into him, deepening the kiss further before a succession of explosions rocked my house. More lightning strikes. I gasped and jumped away, it seemed whoever was behind this was truly onto me. I wasn’t sure what else to do, but I had to be safe inside my own home, right?

“Do you smell fire?” He stood up to look out the kitchen window and jumped back in surprise. “We need to get out of here, Moira, your house is on fire.”

“I… I can’t… go out there.”

“You have to, we don’t have a choice. It’s either go out there or die in here.” He grabbed my coat and bundled me up in it before lifting me to stand and putting on his still soaked jacket. “I saw your car outside; we have to make a break for it.”

I might’ve felt more confident in that decision had the lightning not suddenly started sounding like fireworks, very little spacing between them and totally surrounding my house. I would never make it to my car, but he was convinced we would be fine. He dragged me out the front door by my hand and we started to run before I tripped over my own foot. He stopped for a second about to help me, before he gave up and continued running toward my car before he was struck by lightning and collapsed into a heap six feet away from me. Though I felt none of the strike, my jaw dropped in shock. Though we had only spent hours together, it was the closest I had gotten to anyone in as long as I could remember. And now I was alone again with nothing but the storms for company.

The lightning strikes moved farther and farther away and were far less often than they had been, so I crawled over to find that my car key had survived. I picked it up and slumped against the driver’s side door, sitting in the mud and watching my house burn, crying my eyes out into my hands. I had thought enough to bring my cell phone, but taking it out of my pocket to check, I found I still had no service. With the storms receding and nowhere to go, all I had left were my thoughts. The lightning had only gotten worse when he arrived, and I didn’t see a car broken down near my house, unless he had been much further away. I knew the strikes only took out heinous criminals, which is why I was so afraid it was me. But that meant he… It was too much to think about, I wasn’t sure I had anything left in me to continue on. I resolved to sit out here in the open until they came for me too.

Jake kept me calm and kept me going, but now I was on my own. Again. Always alone. At that thought I felt the ground shake and I just knew my time was up. I had fought it for long enough, I wasn’t scared of death anymore. Death is inevitable, we only try to fight it off for as long as possible, but what’s the point? I kept my eyes down in my hands. I wasn’t scared of death anymore, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t still petrified of what would dole it out to me. A crack split the air and I could feel the ground vibrations get stronger and stronger, like something huge was getting closer, but no storms. My tears pouring from my eyes were the only thing soaking my clothing.

I inhaled deeply, a new scent in the air filled my nose that reminded me of pine and freshly mowed grass, mixed in with the fresh taste of rain. Though the presence I felt was almost calming, it didn nothing to soothe my nerves or the sweat emerging from my pores.

“Get up.” A deep, female voice boomed. I just shook my head and did my best to keep the ramen from coming back up. “I said get up, child. Your time isn’t over yet. This place was not meant for you, and neither was he. Get. Up.”

Her words calmed me, because it was the absolute last thing I expected, that was until I pulled my hands away from my eyes and witnessed what “she” was. Though she was a humanoid, her skin appeared to be made of bark, interwoven with vines of ivy, and she was stunning. Her hair was golden and appeared to be lightening itself. She had to be over eight feet tall and her eyes were a dark blue like pre-stormy skies. Though I felt my stomach clench in fear, I knew I had nothing to warrant that fear. She assured me I was safe, though I wasn’t sure why.

“Are you God?”

She chuckled, but not in an insulting way. It was as though my comment was endearing to her. “In your eyes perhaps, but the real God’s would shun me for such a thought, though I guess in your world I could be considered a demi-god. I am nature herself.”

“Is it you that has been attacking humans with lightning? Why now? Why has it gotten so much worse? And why did you not choose me as well?”

“So many questions, young one. I will do my best to answer them all. Yes, it was I. Humans have been growing more and more evil by the day and I’ve simply had enough. Destroying my forests, polluting my oceans, desecrating everything beautiful that was left, including your own morals. And you were not chosen because you are not evil, Moira.”

“But… I killed someone.”

“You killed a monster who tortured you for years. He held you captive, afraid for your life, until you finally stood up for yourself. Perhaps it wasn’t what your legal system would have wanted, but in the eyes of nature you are pure. You do not use beyond your means and you treat others with dignity, even when they don’t show you the same respect. And that is why, you must get up and move on. The future for you is out there, Moira, you just have to seize it”

I smiled as I felt the raised hairs on my arms finally fall back into position and my muscles unclench. I may be alone, but mother nature had my back. With that, I got into my car to decide my future. With mother nature behind me, I was unstoppable.