Waylen Ashwood

While a storm brewed on a distant horizon, a boy enjoyed his days in the sun.

As everyone else sought shelter, the boy continued playing on the beach, unaware of the approaching dark, grey storm.

The storm came. With his time to find safety running out, the raindrops started pelting his face.

Now there stands a fear filled boy on a beach, tasting the sweet, cold droplets of the storm that will swallow him whole.

As the boy looks out of the corner of his eye, he sees a girl standing next to him, her red dress flapping in the wind. While the girl gazes at the dew on the boy’s lips, she says with gentle conviction, “I will be here while the storm rages, and I will dry you when it’s gone.”

The boy diverts his gaze from the storm and instead stares into the eyes of the girl. Defiantly, they stand together on the beach and embrace the storm. Together.