The rain overhead was gentle enough, but the display in the distance was formidable. It had to be some time after midnight, but it wasn’t the storm keeping her awake, it was nightmares. Over and over visions of that horrible day played out in her head. Every time they ended the same way: she was alone. Crying did little good now. Her face was already soaked and she had all but run dry. For the first time in her life she actually missed the teasing and heckling of her older sisters. A sudden shudder came over her although she wasn’t sure if it was from the cold outside or the despair inside. A long soft shadow suddenly started to dance towards her. She peered back into the house and could just make out the shape of Maria approaching with a candle for a light. “Nightmares again?” guessed Maria as she draped a warm blanket over Dawn’s shoulder. Dawn nodded, “Thank you for the blanket.” “It’s the least I could do,” Maria offered. With no small amount of effort she sat down beside Dawn.
