The Beginning of an End

A tall gentleman stood with a top hat and cane, staring at the black clouds coming towards them.

"It's the beginning of the end, my friend."

"Three signs, this is the first. Darkness to blind the foolish," a round man with bushy whiskers replied. "It looks like ash."

Their words were drowned out by silence. People all around lost hope as the black clouds surrounded them. Lacking wind, lacking sound, lacking movement, only darkness descended upon them. It seemed as if she was choking on it. Feeling around, she knew there was only one thing left to accomplish. She had to find him.

For years they were friends. She was always non traditional, especially in these times. Her partner was a woman, but things didn't work out. The town shunned her, but it mattered little. She lived life as she saw fit. They called her Elloisa.

He was conservative. Marriage was a serious and social affair. He married a beautiful woman of wealth, had three children, and a maid. Their finances were never in trouble and he spent money very carefully. It was almost a freak occurrence that he befriended the wild Elloisa.

If Elloisa came to visit, the maid never let her in. It wasn't until Henry came to the door and allowed her over the threshold that she could enter.

"Come in, dear friend," he would always say with a smile. "The little ones have missed you."

A faded smile crossed her lips as she felt her way along the street. His smile always brought joy to her heart, but it never felt lustful. He was handsome, she used to tease him about it when they were younger...

"All the girls will want you to win their hand, you know."

"Oh, Elly, stop that nonsense. Mother and Father will choose my bride, and we'll have the best wedding in town. Surely you'll be there."

"Of course," she almost whispered.

Although she was greeted with kindness at the Gibson Estate, Henry's parents weren't over fond of her. They smiled if in her presence, but Henry sadly told her what they warned him of.

"Henry, dearest, you know what company like her will do to your reputation. It's simply unheard of. Men attract women and visa versa. Women should never attract women, not in that way."

"Your mother is right, son. We are simply concerned about your image and how it will tarnish" 'Think of the Gibson name,' was his father's creed.

"If society has a problem with my compassion, then let them tarnish the name. Mother, weren't you the one that took in the homeless family, despite your parent's warnings, and helped them to freedom?

"And Father, don't you remember when you shared the same feelings of friendship with Elloisa? She was like my second sister until she told everyone what goes on in her bedroom. Really, I can't believe the two of you. Out of all the neighborhood, I would expect at least my mother and father to have a perspective of how things really are."

The darkness was getting thicker, if that's possible, but she was left with memories for comfort. Henry always defended her and it never tarnished his reputation. If there was an impact, it only made him more desirable.

Even so, she was forbidden to take part in the wedding. Henry's wish to have her as a Best Man was squashed. His parent's would have it, so long as they were footing the bill. She was allowed to watch, however.

"Don't worry, Elly. I'll get you in somehow," the smile was devious this time.

"I won't have it, Henry. Please, just this once, don't get in trouble for me. If i can see you take your vows, i'll be happy."

And when the day came, she was happy. Her friend knew the direction he was going in life. He had everything laid out for him.

"Oh my God. It's the second sign... RUN," Someone screamed down the block.

Elloisa turned around and noticed the darkness receded a bit. A pale sky stared at them, almost sad, as if it knew what lay ahead. A large mountain of blue capped with white began to grow in the distance. Every scream confirmed her own idea. It was a tidal wave.

For a moment, all she could do was stare. The massive wall of water didn't break even as it crashed through building after building. As the screams of the people taken by the water were silenced, new ones erupted closer to her. It wasn't until she could feel the cold spray of water that she remembered her destination.

Step by step she moved backward, caught onto the railing of the flat steps and flew down the stairs. Two floors down, she knocked violently on the door. Bryan, a small child with intelligent eyes opened up and smiled.

"Hi auntie Elly. Come on in."

"Not now, sweet one. Is your Father home?"

"He is," Henry replied. "What's wrong, Elly, you're shivering?" She gently brushed his arm away from her shoulders.

"Can i speak with you for a moment?"

"Yes, of course. Come inside Bry, your mother needs help in the kitchen."

Swaying back and forth, she tried to gather the words she would use. 'Saying it plainly would scare him away. Being subtle is just an annoyance. How will i ever...'

"What's got you so worried, Elly?"

"Come with me," she held out her hand and he took it.

It was warm and firm, and she never wanted to let it go.

They arrived at the first floor landing and looked out over the city. The tidal wave was just a few blocks away, moving steadily, but frighteningly slow. Henry frowned and looked to her.

"Is this all you wanted to show me? The whole town knows about this. We are safe in our flat. It's been protected, come with us Elly." His voice was sincere, she could hear the tears coming on, the hoarseness in his throat.

"Let's go back, please..."

He tried to lead her back down stairs. Elloisa followed a few steps, then leaned into him hard, pressing him against the wall. Her lips met his as tears streamed down her face. When she received no response from him, she pulled away,

"I love you..."