It was a night of rain and clouded skies. A night when mists hung low in corners where willows huddled in hushed conversation, their heads bowing close and low. Water dripped from leaves, from gutters, slithered down window screens to come together in puddles where worms would rest. Everything was silent, and I was missing you.

I looked down, only to notice the reflection of your face staring back at me. I could feel a tear running down my cheek, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand. I lifted my head, and walked on.

Every puddle I splashed through spoke softly of the next time we'll meet. Every rustle of leaves that brought a shower down upon my head whispered the echo of your laugh. Your voice was running down the sidewalk, begging me to follow its winding path in the darkness. And I searched for you.

I was looking hurriedly, trying to find you fast, because the darkness was getting thicker, but somehow my shadow still followed me. Scared now, every so often I would feel like giving up and to just go home. "What home?" I asked myself.'� you're the reason I got out of bed in the morning, the reason I would ever go home".

I know that you were somewhere near me, maybe only an arms reach away. You were there to help me rid of the darkness.

Beneath the floppy branches, heavy with water, I looked. I followed footprints left in the muddy ground hoping that they were yours. All night I hunted for you under the starless sky, the rain never stopping, always falling, falling.

I could feel it landing on my bare skin, wishing I were a jacket. But that was less important than me finding you. My eyelids were getting heavy, and I tried to fight off the exhaustion. Then I gave in. I slept, and dreamed;

There was a sound of running water in the distance. That somehow found a way into my sleep. I walked around, and around again. Near the black water with both spiders and snakes deep under it's surface. As I walked ,it seemed that the grass was reaching for my ankles. Then a new sound was heard. Long, low sounds, branches rustling and trees being bent. But I still heard you calling in the night. Then I awoke.

The morning found me lost under the soggy willow tree, seeking out your hand to lead me home. As I brushed past the limp leaves into the first rays of sunlight, I realized with a smile that you never really left me at all. The night had been gloomy with rain clouds and doubt, but now morning was here, and our love was still in the breeze.

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