The ground shakes, the trees swaying in the breeze. Even with cars racing on the streets, there was an eerie silence. No one was outside.

The air carried the faintest hint of petrichor and humidity. I breathed in deep, closing my eyes. The little wind chimes on the back porch clinked softly together and I smiled.

The birds, who usually chirped day and night, were nowhere to be seen or heard. I valued this quiet, and it somehow felt nostalgic. Everything was basked in faint shadows, and it relaxed me and excited me all the same.

I walked back inside, the back door creaking shut behind me.

“Time for a movie marathon?” I asked Josie, my sister.

“Absolutely.” She went to grabbing blankets while I grabbed some chips and candy from her pantry.

“Perfect timing for the weekend.” I smiled, curling up next to her.