Wind raced in from the open window, scattering Stella’s papers across the room. Goosebumps rose on her arms as she felt the pressure drop. She rose from the desk and reached for the window, feeling raindrops peppering her hand. Latching the window, she tried to keep from shuddering at the crack of thunder in the distance. She had always been afraid of lightning storms.

It had been weeks since they had had a good rain. Fires had broken out across the mountains, keeping the valley lit with embers in the middle of the night. At least now, the wildfires would be extinguished and the land could begin to heal.

Stella picked up her papers and returned to her desk, determined to work on her book, despite the impending storm. With thunder rattling her house, she began to write, tuning out the world completely.