The Sword Of Damocles

**Takes place before the raid**


Fern sits up in the tower looking out over the sea. Rudy had been called away on some business and the gray girl finds herself alone for the moment. Clouds are rolling in from over the water, a cold wind heralding their impending arrival. The sun still shines, warming her side and trying to compete with the coming storm. Aqua eyes watch the rain laden clouds rolling toward her, bringing with them a sense of foreboding. The distant sound of gulls crying and rolling waves reach her ears as Fern keeps her silent vigil. There is something on the air, a sense of approaching doom, and no matter how hard the gray girl tries, she cannot shake the feeling.

It feels like something hanging over her head, waiting to fall and scatter the happiness that Fern has just found. Perhaps it is just her own fears, clawing at the back of mind and breathing down her neck. Nerves tingle with anticipation, her fight or flight response becoming a hair trigger, causing her to jump at the slightest sound. Memories become a whirlpool, flashing fragments in front of her eyes, pulling her further and further down. Panic feels her chest as the memories of Meadow’s death warp and shift, replacing her mother’s face with Rudy’s. Her breathing picks up speed, coming in and out in short, shallow gasps.

The world becomes a pinpoint, everything falling away as Fern is swept up in the currents of an anxiety attack.


"Fern"