Escaping a Storm

You ned to get out of the weather, or else you'll be blown, or washed, away. A single light in the distance indicates safety.

* * *

The rain was pounding, the wind was howling, and the last light of day was receding over the horizon. All that spurred you on was the light in the building ahead. As you got closer, you realised what it was – a barn, in some disrepair. It would be more shelter than none.

You heaved open the door, slid inside, and pushed it closed again. As soon as you did, the wind’s howling stopped. You found a moment of peace. You took a deep breath, enjoying the lingering smell of whatever had been stored here. You checked your phone.

No reception. Damn. And you doubted anyone would come to pick you up in this, at any rate. With the realisation that you were stuck here until the storm abated, you finally took in your surroundings. Most of the room was dark.

The light you had seen from outside was a single bulb, hanging from a beam, suspended by a thick, knotted cable. It cast it’s light down on a huge pile of hay. The pile had a divot in it. Outside of the light of the bulb you couldn’t see anything. And there wasn’t anyone around.

But then, who had lit the bulb? Or had it simply been left on? You took a step forward, and called out. “Hello?”

The wind outside gave its answer, but nothing inside stirred. You took another step forward, and another, then heard some rustling.

You stopped, looking left, then right, then up. You saw nothing, just the lightbulb, swaying, left to right. It was very pretty to look at. You took another deep breath in, moving closer to the hay pile. Had the light gotten closer? Or were you just imagining things?

What you didn’t imagine, was the sound of the bar to the door slamming down. You stopped focusing on the lamp, and turned around. What you found left you speechless. A person stood before you. Though, you couldn’t see their legs.

Their eyes seemed to glow a soft golden hue, and as they approached you with a rough, rustling sound, you realised that they towered over you. Too late, it clicked why you couldn’t see their legs. You took a step before you felt something wrap around your ankles.

You squirmed, but their body was wrapping you, coil after coil. Before long you could barely move, let lone actively struggle. Your head was left free though. The soft, hissing laughter of the being filled the space. “Oh no, human, you can’t leave. Not into that storm.”

Their voice seemed to echo in your mind, as the sweet smell permeating the barn grew stronger. You tried to think what to do. You needed to escape, didn’t you? You vaguely tried to wriggle, to no avail. They laughed again. “Awh, silly human. I’ve told you that you can’t leave.”

The half person, half snake pulled you closer, and looked at you, pensively. “No, no, no. It’s too dangerous outside. You’d get hurt.” The lightbulb was close. You found yourself looking at it. “Better to stay here, where it’s safe.” You nodded. Yes. Stay. Safe.