The Storm

A storm brews over the emerald forest. Lightening cuts across the sky, chased by thunder with its gruff, rumbling boom. Animals hide in crevasses no man is privy to. Stillness fals before the tumultuous dance of lightning and thunder rip across the sky again. I make my way along the path, barely able to make see my steps. I race against time and the wind that picks up and howls like a pack of hungry wolves on my heels. Just as I reach the cavern, the sky opens up and a cold, drenching rain pounds the earth into submission. I slip into a cavern. With silent steps I move back and pray no other villainous creature has come to take its shelter.
I crouch and dream of warmth; pulling memories of warm campfires into my mind to beat back my fits of imagination that threaten to shatter me into a million pieces.
‘I can survive this’ I whisper my mantra. My teeth rattle together. I squeeze my eyes tight, fighting the urge to stare into the pitch black.
I hear a sound, not the thunder, and push myself closer to the wall. It cuts into me. I press my lips together to keep the sound of pain bound within me. I think small, invisible. I think.... But those thoughts scatter when I hear a scrapping and snuffling coming closer. I pull in my breath and wait.
Breath grazes my leg, I smell the putrid stench of death. I taste my own blood. I see nothing. The beast roars and sends my body into tremors I am unable to control. I fear this is my end.... and then, lightening strikes shaking the cavern walls, then all is quiet. When I look, my eyes adjust to see the Beast singed before me.

300 words.

Prompt for 8/4 – August 4, 2016
Write a story that includes the words: storm, forest, emerald - 30 words or fewer with a character, problem and solution.