Heavy and dark clouds blanketed the sky endlessly. An immense storm unleashed a torrential downpour of rain, submerging an ancient forest in endless droplets of water.
The howling winds charged at the the large old trees from all directions, but their roots were deep and strong only causing the trees to gently sway against the wind. The battering rain and crazed wind outside were surprisingly nothing but soothing background noise inside a small circular room hidden in the high canopies of the forest.
Subtle and discreet, no one would have expected to find a hollowed room within one of the many enormous trees deep in the endless forest. The rain pummeled against a small window next to a camouflaged wooden door that was the only entrance into the room.
Inside the room, right under the window was a worn-out work table with mounted racks holding books, heavily-used tools, and tubes filled with bright liquids. That table also served as a dining table, as a wooden plate with a half eaten mushroom sandwich was teetering back and forth at the table's edge.
The room and everything inside was swaying side to side from the wind of the storm. There were many tools and trinkets stuffed into the odd shelves growing like mushrooms from the walls. All items were placed in secured holding racks to prevent them from falling and breaking. Even the futon on the floor was tied down to prevent it from sliding.
The bad weather outside was the perfect lullaby, and the wind created the perfect rocking bed for the owner hidden beneath the furry blanket.
Unfortunately, the wood plate with the half eaten sandwich was not affixed to anything, and the swaying tipped the plate off the edge of the table crashing onto floor and creating a mess. With a sudden jolt, a half-naked and messy black-haired young man sprung up from underneath his warm bed sheets.
Grabbing my ring behind my pillow I readied to activate a spell. Frantically, I looked around for whatever that entered my home, but all I found was my half-eaten dinner scattered along the floor.
"Ugghh," I sighed as I rubbed my forehead. Relaxing my alarmed state, I slowly sank to my knees. "It's that dang dream again," I thought to myself. I used to wake up sweating and terrified, but over the years I've grown accustomed to the reoccurring nightmare. It's now a fleeting dream these days, but I can't help but shiver thinking if HE will come back.
Staring at my wasted food, I suddenly realized and connected that it was on the floor.
"Shit!" I yelled as I rushed at my fallen beloved.
My favorite sandwich made with caramelized wild onions and foraged mushrooms topped with a small amount of picked veggies laid scattered on the floor. On my knees, I carefully picked up my poor sandwich.
I was not going to waste it.
I do what I can with what I got. Sitting by the table, I rebuilt my broken sandwich. It tasted no different, though it could use some more pickles carrots and garlic.
After finishing my last bite, I stared out the window at the pouring rain. I was already having a headache thinking about having to go out in that weather. Rubbing the temples of my forehead, I recalled that dang dream. I never wanted to see that man's face.
Looking down at the side of my body, I saw the four birth marks reminiscent of the hand that gripped me in those unpleasant reoccurring nightmares. "Damn dream." I cursed and sighed. "If it was only a dream."
I sighed. Looking around my room, I was nice and cozy here, but I needed to make some money.
The gods designed the world so oddly. Why do we have to suffer? Or was it we who were given the ability to choose and decide that are the culprits and wanting to blame our misery on the divine? But if the almighty were all power, then couldn't they do more? Or did they already know everything? Was life a game or a test?
I sighed again, before proceeding to give my forehead a slap. "Stop thinking pointless things! Stupid brain! What am I to do about the all powerful gods!? Focus!"
I first need something better to wear venturing into that raging storm outside.
"Another thing to add on my to-do list." Ever since I made that list it just keeps growing.
"What happened to living simple with no ambitions?" I asked myself.
"And what's with today and sighing?" The howling storm outside answered my question, "probably won't be seeing the starry sky tonight it seems. It's going to be going to be a long and wet day."
I let out a long, long sigh.