//------------------------------// // thunder // Story: She Waits for Thunder // by The Red Parade //------------------------------// The creak of hooves against the floorboard, almost lost to the faint drizzle outside. Lofty has never been a heavy sleeper, so she isn’t surprised that the sound was enough to wake her. She climbs out of bed and down the stairs in a haze, flicking on the lights in the living room and freezing when she sees Holiday there. They stare at each other unmoving before Lofty sees the ring of keys in Holiday’s hooves. A furrowed brow and a disapproving frown. “You gonna try and stop me?”  Lofty works her jaw. “Depends. Where are you going?” “Rolling left for Equestria.” “And you’re going after?” Holiday doesn’t reply. The scuffing of hooves on hardwood floor as Holiday turns to leave. Lofty follows. They meander down the road in the darkness, rain stinging at their eyes and coats. Soon they’re at the docks, Holiday using the stolen keys to unlock the gate leading right up to her boat. A few bags of supplies are waiting by it, which Holiday throws on. Lofty stands on the dock, watching Holiday prep the boat. They both know the ins and outs of sailing, but Holiday by far has proven to be the better sailor between them. Thoughts crash in her head like the wave as she watches her friend. “You’re really going to try and make it all the way to Equestria?” “You going to try to stop me?”  “I don’t know yet.” A grunt is the only reply she gets. Lofty steps on the boat. Holiday pauses in her preparations to stare at her in confusion, but, when she still says nothing, she simply ignores her. Before long, they’ve set off. Lofty still can’t piece together what to say, so she continues to let things happen. The storm is above them now, pounding rain into the ocean. Holiday takes the helm, her mouth clenched in a terse line.  “Where in Equestria did she go?” Lofty shouts over the crashing waves. Holiday grimaces. “Dunno. Doesn’t matter. I’ll find her.” “Then what?” Holiday doesn’t say anything, so Lofty stands to move next to her. “And then what, Holly?”  “I don’t know!” comes the cry. “I need to know what I did wrong, okay?!”  “You didn’t do anything wrong!” “Then why did she leave?” Lofty sighs. “Because I don’t think she ever loved you, Holly.”  Holiday grips the wheel tightly. In the dark, Lofty can make out her form trembling in the wind. “You shouldn't have come,” she finally snaps. “I had this all figured out, now you’re ruining it! I didn’t bring enough supplies for you, I had a plan and now…”  Lofty doesn’t reply to that. The sky flashes white and a roar of thunder sweeps them up. “Are you sure you wanna do this?” “Yes!” Her voice cracks. “Holly. I don’t think you do.” “I do.” It comes far weaker this time. Her grip on the wheel falters. Lofty sighs. She puts a hoof on Holiday’s shoulder. “It’s not too late to turn around,” she whispers. Holiday stares off at the waves in front of them.  “She left. She’s gone,” Lofty continues. “And…” It’s her turn to falter now. “I’m sorry.” “It’s not your fault.” Slowly, Lofty puts a hoof on the wheel. “I think we should go home. Do you want to turn around?” Holiday sniffs, tears staining her cheeks and mixing with the rain. “Yeah,” It comes out soft and small. Slowly, their hooves together turn the boat around. Through the waves. Back to land. Away from the storm.