The lightning cast weird shadows on the rain streaked window in Cathy’s bedroom. She was alone until her parents would return from their community meeting in town, but after all, she was twelve years old and very mature. Cathy had been alone for short periods of time before, but the storm with all of it’s sounds of thunder made things seem, well, a bit more loud and wet and just a bit more scary! “I sure would like to have a nice cup of Mom’s hot chocolate…ummm, and maybe with some whipped cream or marshmallows!” thought Cathy. Suddenly, there was a great BOOM!! outside near the house…and then Cathy heard the creaking and cracking sound of a large tree limb. Running to her window, Cathy looked out through the rain just in time to see a great limb fall to the ground and split in two near the back fence. The lightning crashed even more loudly now and the rain was splashing at her windows as if it were trying to get into Cathy’s bedroom and drench her! Then Cathy heard a loud BAM! and all the lights went out and her clock radio started blinking “12:00” Cathy tried to switch on her lights and turn on her radio but the electricity was completely out! Cathy was trying to stay very brave and calm but the more she thought, the more she started to become just a little bit scared! Ally, the family cat was under the bed and wouldn’t come out even though Cathy called and called to her. Actually Cathy wanted to hold Ally and hug her instead of just being alone, watching and listening to the fierce storm. Cathy jumped as the phone rang and she stared at it for a couple of more rings before she picked it up and pressed “talk”. “H-Hello?” she whispered. “Cathy…Dear…it’s Mommy, are you all right?” “Oh…Hi Mom…s-sure everything’s fine