_____"Lost your head?" I inched closer.
_____The skeleton was missing its left hand. Dry sands swirled into smoothed mounds formed from decades of invasive mountain gusts. Turning too fast, I faltered sideways snatching a hold on the wall. Hunger pangs growled like a tiger. In that activity, I was not alone. On top of a tall maple branch, a large hawk cawed and fluttered his wings. He watched me, a cornered meal seven times his size. Ambition never ceased to amaze my interests.
_____Roasted bird sounded better to me than filet of mice. I picked up a pebble. Sensing some danger, the hawk barked a cry then flew away. All things considered, I'd rather have a chocolate bar. As I stepped from the cave, faint rumblings preceded a bright flash. Glancing to the valley, I spotted a sea of gridelin purple clouds elevating like the top of a boiling stew. Spider webs of electricity lashed violently within the rising mass. I retreated inside. Curtains of straight rain poured by the gallon, forming an effervescent pond at the entrance. Thunder detonated with determined fury.
_____Taking a seat on the incline, I exhaled to relax. What tracks could the villagers possibly find if they foolishly attempted to stalk me in the morning? Swirling gusts brought spits of rain inside. I strolled up the incline for safety. Reaching into my pocket in hopes of finding gum, I touched the top of Jimmy's Bic lighter. Maybe I could find timber for a campfire. I startled at a flash of ocean blue, tripping into a backwards fall. A feminine silhouette stood by the skull. She was at least six-foot tall, with proud angular shoulders, a modest chest, and loose arms.
_____"Hello?" I shouted quickly.
_____She didn't advance. I sat up and raised my keychain flashlight. The bulb must have cracked. Using the Bic lighter, I raised the flame as I stood on my toes to look taller. Her silver hair swooped upward in a tightly bound bun.
_____I offered, "We were just passing by when this storm picked up chutzpa."
_____The cave took on a misty bluish glow. Soon, I could dose the lighter and still see. Though my clothes dried quickly from where I stood, my mind narrowed focus on the visitor. She wore a triangular-face crown of silver. In its center sat thousands of luminous gems forming irregular circles. An aquamarine gown flowed from her throat to the floor. A pleasant aquamarine like the shade her striking gaze, dazzling. Not soft and alluring but hardened and majestic like a seasoned Queen.  NEXT _

 DAMSEL IN THE ROUGH