....And The Skies Are Not Cloudy

Under cover of blue darkness Michelle proceeded to drive along the thin country road, dodging not only the winding tree branches that came forth but any doubts she would have about what she had to do. The time on her watch said: 9:49 P.M. and knowing she would be expected she straightened her hair, removed her seat-belt and opening the glove compartment took out the loaded gun, and after placing it in her ladies black bag that matched her yellow summer dress, she got out the car and felt a memorable chill. Memorable that is because of the clouds. Ever since Michelle Henderson had been a little girl she had been afraid of clouds At first her Parents thought it was because of their strange shapes and the way they affected children’s imaginations, like lights from a lamp reflected on a dark wall or the images conjured up by swaying trees and a child’s imagination, But this fear did not leave her, somehow it became worse, even now as a successful business woman of 35 she still despised them. They seemed to cover the sky tonight as if they were about to engulf the world and swallow her up.

“He should be getting the documents!” She conceded, as she knocked on the door of the man she had known as a child, the man whom she had tried to warn about clouds, the man whom was denying her the shares she wanted to take over the business, Nigel Henderson her Brother,

“Coming.” He stated, not really expecting she had come to negotiate on his terms, but entirely on her own.

She greeted him with an embrace of platonic affection, however her true emotions were more darkly intermit.

“The documents are on the table!” He stated, shutting the door behind him and following her into the Dining Room.

“Why can’t you vote for me?” She inquired, picking up the documents and turning round as if a Lawyer presenting a case.

“You know why!” “If you got control you’d reduce jobs, a lot of people including Shareholders will lose money, I Know what you’re trying to do Michelle, I also know since I spoke to a chap whose a Lawyer that due to legal loophole there’d be no way the Police could convict you!”

“I still love you!” She confirmed, “Ever since we were children you were the only one who really understood my fear of clouds.”

She looked out the wire mesh window as if in a gothic novel and he began to approach in consideration.

“Clouds aren’t evil.” He exclaimed, “Or good”, “They Merely cover God’s sky until it’s our time to be with him!”

“Then what happens when it rains?” “When clouds explode, like stars fall?”

“Are you talking about Angels?” He inquired, “Is that why you’re afraid of clouds because you think they’re souls?”

Michelle did not reply. She merely reached into her handbag strapped to her shoulder and turning with the gun stated: “I’m sorry!” Then she fired and watched her Brother fall to the floor dead!

She knew she hadn’t much time, outside the clouds were growing thicker and only the full Moon guided her way.

Leaving the house and getting into her car she wound down her window knowing a river was nearby and this would enable her to get rid of the gun. Reflected by Moonlight upon the water she threw out the gun. It sank just as lightning struck a tree, causing it to fall like some Judgment from above upon her car.

Michelle was no longer in her car, yet she was surrounded by clouds, this time they were covering the floor, this reminded her of some 1970’s dance routine, the cloud white, and ahead she could see a figure of a man dressed in white that appeared to have wings She stared and he smiled disarmingly.

“Come.” He said, “You are Michelle Henderson!”

Curiosity replacing uncertainty Michelle went to the man whom was tall and young looking with gold coloured hair.

“Where am I?” She inquired.

“Heaven, though you know that.” “Do you know why you have a fear of clouds?” He inquired, taking her by the hand and leading her towards some that were black.

“No!” said Michelle, since she had never rationalized her phobia.

“It was a warning!” said the man, “A warning you failed to heed.” “Your Parents tried to convert you I believe?!”

“So did my Brother.”

“You refused!”

“Yes!”

“These are dark clouds!” “They were once clouds of light or souls as you may refer to them.” “They became corrupted like you.” “You killed your Brother didn’t you Michelle?”

She turned to see one of the white clouds transform into a human shape and she noticed it was her Brother.

“You see clouds are souls!” Exclaimed the man, “Oh some are caused by water heating up and dispensing to give rain, however what with more and more people turning to darkness we needed a solution!” “Hell as become too crowded, we need a way to get rid of unwanted souls!”

“The White clouds can change back and forth at will Michelle.! Proclaimed her Brother, the dark clouds are in their last stage.”

“And soon it will be your turn.” Said the man, “Look!” He indicated at a group of people, some dressed smartly, some ordinary, yet they appeared to be melting. Not dripping blood or even showing what was beneath the flesh, merely like wax gushing out water that would no doubt become rain.

Michelle felt her face wet, she held up her hands and saw her fingers had become like elongated candle wax, they were dripping and she was aware of her face now slithering as if a distorted painting destroyed by rain water. As she fell to her knees she saw the others were doing the same and soon her body would be a dark cloud then that too would be gone. She wanted to scream at the sight of the others whom were unrecognizable but her mouth had gone and soon the rest of her would follow, she did however hear her Brother concede that she was indeed right to be afraid of clouds!

THE END