The black clouds swept down painstakingly close to his playground area. The overgrown fields swept in rhythm beating an eerie counterpart to the storm. His dogs lay inside the hay filled dog house hidden deep within the corner. Yet another omen in what was to become his way this fall.

The young lad had never seen his life a foul as this. The changes that happened that summer to his body echoed within his family relationships. Nothing seemed right; it all was a jumbled piece of confusion. His mind swarmed with complexities that could not be solved. And now this storm seemed to rattle his soul with anticipation.

He was alone in the country home even his grandparents house behind his was black with emptiness. The cows had gone towards the back forty near the ravine. Where earlier he had found a piece of family history that might have shed some light on his dark life.

But the storm forced him to leave at once as his German shepherd dogs tugged at his torn blue jeans. He had to go home at once and leave behind his clue which he felt would solve this mystery.

He opened the windows and hid in the hallway closet. Crying because never had been this alone in his whole life, no one heard his sobs. Even his pet dogs would not venture out of their sheltered home on the porch outside. Dark and getting colder within the house the wind whistled an anthem he assumed would be his dirge. Any boy must finally go alone in his path towards manhood. While this path tonight seemed to him to be leading down a doomed end, the tornadoes outside could only signify the whirling turbulence within his own life.

Within seconds the sounds of crashing windows and walls could be heard along side the train whistles. His clothes seemed to be pulling him outside his secret hiding place. The dogs whimpering were only clouded by the sudden burst of explosion deep within the structure of his house. And then it happened.

06/12/2005

Author's Note: This is my first attempt in years to begin a short story. I would really appreciate some feedback on the opening paragraphs and emotions that this writing is. Thank you.

Posted on 06/13/2005
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