The storm had blown up seemingly out of nowhere, pouring rain drenching the travellers in moments since they were out in the open, no shelter in sight. They huddled where they were, buffeted by wind and battered by stinging raindrops, standing close together, Fred and Varian taking the brunt of the weather, backs to the wind, doing their best to shield their friends.

Hidden in the folds of Liana’s cloak, Sil-El hissed and spat his dislike of the whole situation, for once behaving like any ordinary cat in his dislike for getting wet, even though he was probably the dryest of them all. The rest of the small band could only endure, cold, wet, and thoroughly miserable, until the pounding rain gradually lessened, the wind dropped, and the clouds began to break apart, letting rays of sunshine through, making the ground and the soaked travellers begin not steam in the returning warmth.

“Well, that was bracing,” Varian said, slicking rainwater from his hair and shuddering as it ran down the back of his neck, inside his shirt collar. The expression on his face told his friends clearer than words what he thought of THAT indignity.

“Bracing?” Willaway shivered. “That’s one way of putting it, but I can think of several other descriptions that would be more apt.”

“Yeah, partner.” For once Fred agreed with Willaway completely. “Really didn’t need that.” He pulled his hoodie off and tried to wring the worst of the water from it, then shook his head, drops scattering from his afro.

“Hey, guys, look!” Scott was pointing ahead in the direction they’d been travelling when the storm hit. “A double rainbow!”

Despite being wet, cold, and less than cheerful, the other four all turned to look in the direction the boy was pointing.

“Well now,” Willaway said. “That’s worth seeing. It almost makes up for getting soaked.”

“Speak for yourself,” Fred replied, back to disagreeing with the scientist, on principle. “Gotta say it’s a welcome sight though. Can’t have a rainbow without sunshine.”

“Or without rain,” Varian pointed out, smiling.

Liana pushed the hood of her cloak back in order to see more clearly. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.” Varian stood straighter, drinking in the sight; the rainbows hanging over the hills ahead like a promise of better fortunes to come.

“No sense standin’ here drippin’.” Fred grinned. “Let’s go see what’s on the other side.”


The End