AST#2

I drank the coffee, burning my mouth in the process but desperately needing the caffeine to kick start my brain.
Finn headed to the door, which he opened and stood for a moment before turning back toward me, his eyes suggesting I join him.
I did and looked out over the white world that glistened before us.
The land was white. The sky was white. The trees were pencil drawings in between. From here the ancient oak and ash looked like they had grown leaves.
Black clouds swirled over the sky like smoke all heading in the same direction and a new canopy grew before my eyes as the trees filled with blackness.

The day flew by. We took it in turns to watch the wood and the crows in between the everyday stuff that needs doing. Finn needed to go home at some point if only to grab some clothes. I needed to get some food in, silently cursing myself I didn’t stock up earlier, as the cupboards were showing a distinct lack of sustenance.
The dark came early, or seemed to, I’m not sure which.

She arrived that night.
The air announced her.
Everything changed around 2.30am.
Finn had stayed over and lightly knocked my door before entering.
“You feel that?” he said
“Oh yes!”
The dark night was still silent but the temperature had plummeted to an unbelievable cold.
Eleanor was here.

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A Sandpaper Tongue

A sandpaper tongue woke me.
“Shit, Finn, what are you doing?”
“I thought it obvious.”
My chin took another rasping lick.
“I am trying to wake you.”
I struggled to focus, my body telling me it should still be asleep.
“And succeeding, although I could try the claws out version if you’d prefer?”
“Funny!” I replied “Well, I’m awake, now get off.”
“And the reason for this?” I mumbled “And this?” I tried to make a dramatic sweeping gesture but my arm, kind of, just flopped about.
“I thought a naked Finn in your bedroom would be a bit more startling than this”
He raised his head up in a regal stretch and flicked his tail.
“Plus it was the only way I could fit through the catflap”
“Point taken.” I said “Not that I haven’t seen it all before but it does remind me to get that catflap nailed shut. Now shift already. Get thumbs and get coffee on. There are clothes in the chest.”
I showered quickly, pulled on jeans and was tying my wet hair into a ponytail as the smell of coffee hit my nose.
I headed to the kitchen, where Finn stood, tall and clothed, with a mug in his hand, the handle turned toward me.
“Good boy, I’ll buy you a kipper.”
I took the mug and sat down while Finn grinned inanely at me.
“OK, what’s the problem?”
“The crows are coming”