章 2: Threat
Just as the frenzied clouds had gathered, they vanished, and the sun awkwardly peeked through, as if it wasn't entirely over the storm. The world was left streaked with patches of pale light. It all happened in mere minutes—such was the unpredictable weather of NadiyaPur. These hollowed-out storms were becoming more frequent. The sky would engulf itself in a terrible mass of clouds, lightning tearing through the heavens, deafening thunder roaring like the howls of a colossal beast—and then, just like that, everything would disappear and return to normal.
Against the yellow backdrop, it was hard to keep track of the stray cloud. It drifted northward, defying the direction of the wind. Chasing after it was Isra, running like the wind itself, her head constantly tilted up, her bag bouncing behind her.
She darted into an orchard, breaking into a roadside farm. Huffing violently, she jumped over a half-plucked fence, relieved it didn't give her much trouble. Out ahead, the horizon stretched in a thin line of purple, and just above it, the cloud lingered. If she hurried, she could make it. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Adrenaline rushed through her veins. Was she finally about to witness something supernatural?
Wildflowers swayed violently in her wake, turning as if drawn to her energy. Apart from her brutal, animalistic chase, the scene around her was serene. Beads of water clung to the flowers and grass, reflecting the sunlight and making the world shimmer. It was as if nature was offering an exclusive, opposite view of the chaos, reminding anyone watching that it wasn't as savage as the tiny human racing across it.
Nearing a field of tall reeds, Isra crouched low, settling into the grass like a veteran predator. Her pupils narrowed as she studied the cloud. It looked like a pristine pillow of white, constantly forming and dissolving into new shapes. She stayed still, observing it. After all, a hunt was only as successful as the knowledge of the hunter.
Carefully, she began to move. Not a single reed shifted with her subtle steps. She was terrifyingly skilled at this. Moments passed, and the perfect tension of a predator about to lunge built in the air. But just as she prepared to pounce, her foot landed on a dry twig.
Snap.
The sound shattered the stillness.
The cloud jolted, shifting comically, as though startled. It scanned the area frantically. It was absolutely something supernatural—that much was clear. Anyone else would've screamed in excitement, but Isra's nerves were like steel. She stayed calm, perfectly still, blending seamlessly with her surroundings.
Sensing danger, the cloud decided to abandon the field. It began to hover, inching upward as if to flee. But before it could fully take to the air, the reeds parted. A small, determined figure shot out like a gremlin, grabbing hold of the cloud.
"Oh no," said little Isra, clutching the struggling mass tightly.
"Why don't you spill it, cloud… What exactly are you?" she demanded through gritted teeth. Her mouth began to water. Was she dreaming? The cloud looked oddly… appetizing.
The cloud wriggled violently, but somehow, she held it firmly in her arms as though it were something solid. That wasn't how clouds usually worked.
"You're behind the storms, aren't you? The clouds… you herd them. I know it," she said, drools escaping her lips, her words were that of a human but the drool, the bloodshot eyes, the unnatural grip, she looked more like a demon from the underworld.
The cloud writhed harder, but Isra's grip was unyielding.
"Oh no, I'm not letting you go," she muttered between breaths.
The cloud, seemingly out of options, let out a tiny drizzle that landed on the flowers below. Suddenly, the petals glowed.
And then, perhaps the strangest thing of all happened.
"What are you doing, you little devil?" a voice growled from the cloud.
Isra froze for a moment, her hungry instincts overcoming any sanity she had left as she bit into the cloud without hesitation, tearing away a chunk of fluff.
"AAAAAAH!" the cloud screamed. "SHE'S EATING ME!"
Ignoring the failing plea she took another inhumane bite, it wasn't that the clouds and their ever eternal march reminded her of something noble and magical, she was more like their predator than their friend.
The cloud twisted violently, trying to escape. "STOP THAT! This is madness!" it said
It wiggled with all its might, but her grip held firm. She took another bite. At this pace, the cloud would be gone in mere seconds.
Desperate, the cloud suddenly… meowed.
Isra froze mid-bite, her expression shifting from feral to utterly confused. "What?"
"What?" the cloud repeated nervously.
"You just meowed," she said, her grip loosening a bit.
"No, I did not," the cloud shot back.
"Yes, you did."
"So what if I did?"
"Clouds don't meow."
There was a brief, awkward silence. Even the flowers stopped rustling, their earlier glow now completely faded.
The cloud cleared its throat. "Clouds meow all the time."
That caught both of them off guard. Isra blinked, her head tilting. The cloud seemed to shrink slightly, as if embarrassed.
Before she could react, the cloud gave a sudden, violent twist and slipped free of her grip. It floated up, wobbling as it gained distance.
"You're insane!" it shouted. "Don't tell anyone about this, or you'll be gone forever!"
Isra stared at the empty space where it had been, her arms still raised as though holding onto it. Slowly, a grin spread across her face. "Did it just… threaten me?," she murmured, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Adjusting her satchel, she turned back toward the road, her thoughts a chaotic jumble. Whatever had just happened, she was sure of one thing—it wasn't over.
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