Storm lived with her mother. Her father had long-since been gone. Things had been tight. Adali Cloud-runner was working 3 jobs so that they could afford what they needed. But they got by. Storm had ditched school a few months ago, so that she could work too.

They needed more money for the pegasus she had tamed and dubbed Tempest. The grey mare with blue-grey mane and tail and jet black feathers had a fiery and loyal spirit. Storm loved her dearly and spent any spare minute with her. Tempest stayed in their father’s sister’s backyard, since it was bigger and just next door.

“Mom, I’m home!” Storm slung an empty sack onto the kitchen table. Adali came into the room, her brown hair piled onto a bun on top of her head. Her white apron set off her black dress, and it was obvious she had just returned from work. “Oh hi, honey! I was just about to start dinner.”

Storm shook her head and sighed. That was her mom. She could have been working bone-breaking hard ALL day, and she’d still insist on making food. Storm quickly pulled out two pots from the nearby cabinet.

“I’ve already got it! Just sit down and enjoy the fine meal prepared by yours truly!” She beamed and began pulling ingredients out of nooks. Soon she was dishing soup out of one of the pots over rice. She called, “Here, Mom!” and set down the bowls.

Her mother moved over to the table and sat down. “Mmm, it smells amazing!” They dug in.

The next day, both were off and Adali and Storm decided to go visit Wren and Torrin. They hadn’t seen them for days, which was really unusual. When they arrived, Storm ran up to the front of the door and knocked. When no-one opened, she decided to go to the back and look for them in the backyard while her mother tried again. She really wanted to go to the barn 20 yards away, but at least needed to greet her aunt and uncle.

After several fruitless minutes of searching, she heard angry voices inside. She recognized her relatives yelling. Frozen in fear, Storm could only listen as her mother’s voice rose to a scream, then silenced abruptly. Her heart pounded. Seconds later, the house erupted into flames.

Two fleeting figures disappeared into the distance. It was her relatives. Why? How could they do that so suddenly? It didn’t make any sense. But these thoughts passed quickly. What really mattered was her mother.

Her mother was gone. Killed by two people whom she considered friends. Gone. The word echoed through her mind like an endless gong.

Storm’s heart stopped.