He stood in the lake’s edge. The wind did not stir his long overcoat or even whisper to ruffle his hair.

Electricty crackled in the air, strong enough to taste and strikes of lightning rained down to the water’s surface around him.

He watched the shoreline, waiting. He knew she loved storms, it was only a matter of time before she would be outside, arms wide open and face tilted to the sky.

She wouldn’t notice him this time either, she never did. But his heart always yearned for her to see him just once and send her beaming smile his way.

Sure enough, she slipped out her door and did the same thing she always did. Her head tilted back, and she sang. Her voice was a hypnotic melody that rang clear through the air, his heart squeezed at the sound.

“Oh, Astrid…” his words were but a breath.

And yet, it was as if she heard him, her head whipped his direction and her bright green eyes widened in surprise.

She slowly dropped her arms to her sides and took a few steps back.

“Who are you?” She called out.

“Gale.” And with the utterance of his name, he disappeared in a gust of wind.

——

Astrid stared and stared, unsure if she imagined the whole thing. There was no proof to say otherwise. Thunder roared loudly and Astrid snapped from her stupor, moving back inside.