STORIES: Determination

The August sun had made him sleepy, and he had spent a good part of the afternoon oblivious to the noise of the comings and goings of those around him. He wakened to a sudden roaring sound that dulled a bit as quickly as it had started. But the wind picked up, and even with his eyes still shut tight he got the feeling of an impending storm. He grew more alert to a sense of danger as the winds, stronger now, drove at him with a threatening force. He found himself fighting to keep himself standing. Must find shelter, he thought. Slowly and with great care, he inched himself across to what he instinctively sought as harbor from the winds, now gale force with spitting rain. Each step was an effort, steadying himself until he had the strength to move onward. Rain pelted down harder and harder until he could no longer see to find his way across the slick glassy surface. Twice he was pushed from his course. Once, when the winds slowed and seemed to stop, he wisely ran forward at a furious pace. Nearer to his goal, he grew more determined and clung harder still against the returning winds, knowing that to have come so close and to be set back now would have destroyed his willpower to hang on. Calm set in once again and guessing it to be the eye of the storm, he made a mad dash for cover, pulling himself inside just as he heard nature stir once more. The door shut behind him like a crash of thunder. Safely inside, he lay on the floor exhausted, trying to recover his strength. His body ached, his legs were numb. But he was safe. Weariness overcame him and he soon was lulled into unawareness, and sooner still, awakened by a woman’s voice as she entered the car. “EEK! Kill it, John!” he heard, just seconds before he was crushed.