Rain!

The dark clouds hung ominously in the sky. It was going to rain for the first time in years!

I ran inside to tell my family.

“Mom, Papa, rain!” I shouted out.

Mom placed the dish she was scrubbing onto the counter and raced outside. Papa closed his book, following behind Mom. I went outside as well, and stared up at the huge darkened cottonball in the sky.

“Get back inside!” Papa yelled suddenly.

“But Papa, rain!” I screamed out.

He picked me up and ran back in the house, my Mom coming in only moments after us. She slammed the door, locking it.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked.

Papa was still holding me in his arms as Mom said, “Go in the cellar.”

He nodded in agreement, and she opened the door that led downstairs. Once we were all standing on the staircase, she pulled the door shut. Papa finally put me back down on the ground.

“What’s happening?” I asked them.

“Honey, that wasn’t rain that you saw. It was ash. We had no idea..” She paused. “The war isn’t over yet.”