One

Thunder echoed through the cavern as Rusty tossed and turned on the damp cave floor. Trembling and drenched, she clung tightly to her tattered garment, while vivid images flickered through her mind. In these images, she found herself in a shelter splattered with blood, the sky impossibly dark, and obscured by shadowy figures. Amidst these figures loomed a colossal creature, surpassing human stature. Though its features remained elusive, she could discern its piercing crimson gaze locked onto the cowering human form before it. Despite the human's desperate pleas for aid, Rusty was rendered deaf to their cries. Gradually, the creature raised its enormous claws, towering like hills, and unceremoniously brought them down upon the helpless human, reducing them to nothing more than a crimson stain. Bloodied claws now raised, the creature turned its attention to Rusty, who stood paralyzed. Devoid of the ability to move, hear, or speak, she could only watch as the crimson liquid showered her, eclipsing her vision and submerging it in a sea of red.

"Rusty?! RUSTY!"

Rusty burst forward, clutching her chest and completely soaked. Trembling, she was soon held delicately by a pair of hands. It was her brother.

"Hey, no worries, I'm here," he reassured her. Rusty gripped his hands tightly, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

"Thanks Kal, I feel better now," she replied to her brother, who smiled in return.

"I assume it was Dad again," he handed her a bottle of water.

Rusty looked down briefly, but then shook her head.

"Nah, it was just a silly nightmare about the thunder. You know, thunder can be scary," she said, quickly downing the water.

"I hope I didn't disturb your sleep because of it."

"Well, you had me concerned," Kal placed the bottle beside a bag as another clap of thunder caused him to shiver.

"But you really can't sleep with thunder, can you?"

The two shared a knowing glance as thunder struck once more. Rusty noticed her drenched clothes and decided to change. She motioned for her brother to look away, but instead, he closed his eyes. After changing into a fresh pair of clothes—a tank top hoodie and simple trousers—she sat and leaned against the cave wall. Rusty looked at her brother and saw that he had fallen half asleep. She pulled him closer and gently brushed his hair, allowing him to find comfort even amidst the thunder.

"If it wasn't for you Kal, I would have joined father a long time ago"

She said as she slowly closed her eyes.