The Looming Darkness

A sudden, thrilling local thunderstorm

Authorities had discussed the end of our world since 1999; but, so far, we have seen only changes in world order and the environment. Perhaps that is what they referred to. This year is 2017. Around me, environment and weather had changed since 2012. I could not yet determine any devolution or dehumanization. What I saw and experienced was worse than the usual summer rains.
The sky loomed darkly for several hours, and both external and internal environments were virtually pitch black. Heavy dark clouds had gathered overhead and the sunlight was obscured. The radio networks had issued reports of a coming thunderstorm. I heard one faintly from my room. The meteorology department expected a storm to break out within at least forty minutes. I strolled slowly and thoughtfully to my sliding windows and balcony and slid the windows open. I moved out to my balcony to observe the signs of the storm. The only light was an occasional streak of lightning. It thrilled me. One or two streaks seemed to head downwards to the street below. Secretly, unobserved, I hoped that they would hit their perspective targets.  Then, the boom of the thunder echoed through the air outdoors. I saw more lightning and heard faint shouts in patois and screams of shock. I smiled and looked over the rail of my balcony. The storm had brought to me a cloud lined with silver.