The news reporter stood on the edge of the cliff face, holding the microphone to his large lips. "-have reported a category five cyclone on it's way here in the next week." He looked back at the waves which lapped at the ocean below, "This cyclone is expected to arouse large waves which could potentially come into land and cause mild flooding." The camera then swivelled backward, now looking toward a dark collection of clouds which were amassing in the sky, before swivelling back toward the news reporter.

"It's recommended all citizens stay inside or move somewhere else in the meanti-" Abruptly, the cliff beneath them began rumbling, the microphone instantly falling from the man's hands. The view swivelled numerous times before the camera dropped to the floor and the sound of roaring increased until the rock face slipped and they tumbled downward. The camera instantly cut-out and all went black.

---

Twenty four hours prior.

---

Joseph's shoes softly padded against asphalt, his movement steady, yet lanky and horribly ungraceful. His steps were filled with a strange spring and his eyes darted around somewhat cautiously. The trees around him swayed, wind playing with the leaves whilst rain patted on him, slowly drenching him.

He ran his fingers along the rattling gates of the water tower as he moved, casually glancing up at the sky which was amassing dark clouds, swirling through the air before throwing down the pelts of rain. Joseph gave a slight shudder, the wet substance trickling down his shirt and socks. His eyes swivelled forward, back to the seemingly empty roads - continuing to walk.

There was a tap on his shoulder. "Hey there Mr. Gloomy. You ok?" Kristina asked as she walked around beside him, her hair was drenched and her clothes draped heavily over her light skin. She looked at him with those same open green eyes. She smiled at him kindly, wanting to be there for her friend.

Joseph slightly jolted, his slumped shoulders moving upward instantly. "Kristina, I thought you were being picked up by your parents?" He asked, a smile arousing his lips as he slowed down his pace for her.

Kristina shrugged, acting like it was nothing. "Dad's got a really big surprise meeting to go to." She said then turned back to him. "So what's up?"

"Surprise meeting?" He gave a chuckle, "Sounds somewhat intriguing." Joseph said, beaming as the rain trickled down his face, yet, he ignored it, more concentrated on his companion. "Well, I was going to go to the park, but this rain is getting extremely annoying, so I'm just walking home - obviously. How about you?"

Kristina shrugged as they walked. "Same, hey wanna come over? My house is closer and you can go home when the rain stops." She said as she pointed out her house just a little ways down the road. She sneezed as some rain dripped into her nose and she moved some of her drenched hair out of her face.

"Bless you." He smiled, looking down at her house over the elongated hill, slightly shrouded by mist and fog, which slowly dissipated as the rain ceased. Joseph brought a hand to his eye, wiping away the wetness which had accumulated around his face. "Yeah, my Mum should be fine with that." He said, progressing through the asphalt slowly, not that the rain had stopped.

Kristina laughed. "Well, guess that invitation failed."

Abruptly, the ground ruptured, shaking expectantly beneath his feet, forcing him to lurch forward and catch onto a nearby gate. The grumbling of the asphalt beneath him lasted a few seconds, before coming to a momentary cease. "What the hell?" He asked, regaining composure as he brushed specks of dirt from his school jumper, sighing. Joseph swiped his hands along the wet gate in front of him, before placing his hands on his hips - looking around. It seemed as though the sudden outbreak hadn't affected the land around him.

Kristina stumbled and fell backwards as the ground shook under her all of a sudden, she rubbed her backside as she stood up and looked around. "I don't know..."

Fearing another tremor would rupture throughout the ground before them, he took two weary steps forward, looking back at Kristina. "It's like some-" He paused, trying to find the most suitable word, "-some kind of mini-earthquake." Joseph ran his fingers along a line of stubble which was forming along his chin as he continued walking forward, running his hands along gates of hushed buildings. His eyes darted back up the sky with attention, strikes of lightning marking the dark cascade of colours, as the rain began to pat down once again, gradually getting heavier as time dragged by.

Kristina nodded and led him to her house quickly, taking his hand when he wasn't moving fast enough and dragging him along. They finally made it to her house and she fumbled with the key before putting it in the lock and letting them in, then locking the door beind them. "Well, we should be somewhat safe here."

"Thank you." He said, shaking the water from his hands the second they had came inside, before brushing them along his drenched coat. "Is your Mum home?" Joseph said, taking off the jacket and placing it on a nearby hook. He began to walk forward, the pinging of the rain strengthening - the wind howling and the curtains around them going into a frenzy.

(I think it'd be best if your Mum is out grocery shopping or something.)

Kristina shook her head. "My mom's out grocery shopping." She said as she closed all the windows and looked out them. "I hope she's ok..."

"She should be fine." He said as he closed the window closest to him, taking off his boots after doing so. "The storm should be over in a little while." Joseph added, trying to be reassuring with the current predicament. He then moved next to her, staring endlessly out the window - watching the drops of water trickle down the panes of glass, obstructing the view of the neighbours lawn and house.

Kristina nodded. "Yeah... I guess..." Then there was a flash of light nearby and a loud boom emanated throughout the sky and Kristina screamed, dropping to the ground and covering her ears.

Joseph took a step back, moving over to Katina with ease, "Hey," He said, soothingly, helping her to her feet, "It's just lightning, nothing to be worried about." He helped over to a chair which was against the wall and sighed. "Did you want me to get you something to eat? Or drink?" Another strike of light could be seen out of the corner of his eye, emanating the sky with it's white tendril. He gave a shudder, pulling the sleeves of his shirt to his wrists in a feeble attempt to ward off the cold.

Kristina let out a squeak of fear as the lighting struck again and she shook her head frantically, covering her ears.

"Are you sure?" He asked, shutting the curtain, concealing the only window left which showed the lightning. "You're looking awfully tired and water deprived." Joseph said as he began to walk down the entrance of the house, pausing at the threshold of the kitchen, awaiting her definite answer.

Kristina held herself, trembling in fear of the storm and she nodded.

"Okay, good." He muttered as he hastily moved into the kitchen, grabbing a cup from the sink as he filled it up with tap water. Joseph moved back into the walkway and passed the near-full cup to her trembling hands, helping her sip at the liquid before placing the cup on the ground and sighing.

Kristina thanked him quietly and held onto herself, flinching at each boom of thunder.

"I'm going to go watch some TV, did you want to come?" He asked, picking up the cup from the floor, holding it in both hands. He stood at the threshold of the hallway and the kitchen, staring at her trembling body and the fear which raced throughout her.

Kristina looked up at him fearfully and nodded softly. "O-Ok..."

He smiled, giving a soft nod as he moved into the kitchen, placing the cup on the sink before moving into the lounge room. Joseph seated himself slowly, grabbing the remote from a nearby coffee table, turning on the TV.