by Frankie Haney

Created on: September 07, 2010

Megan woke in confused apprehension as the loud noise faded to a low rumble. She had been dreaming a child was crying in a distant place that she could not name, or even understand the nature of this place. It was as though the sound was human in nature, and yet with the next breath an eery, ominous call that would send her searching for its origin. The pre-dawn lightening cast an illumination throughout the bedroom, creating a sense of anxiety or even a premonition of things not yet understood. Megan lay there in total stillness, while the world outside her window beckoned to her with cries of sorrow, as if she were still in the dream. More thunder, and the low rumble, as though something heavy rolled across heaven's floor. The sound was almost comforting in nature, as if she and the universe shared an awareness.

With the next soft flash of light that revealed familiar surroundings, Megan rose from her bed. Donning the warmthof her house shoes, she shuffled to the window and pulled back the thin silk drape. She could see the lake from her upper story window. The storm was passing, but left a heavy curtain rain that showed no demarcation between sky and lake. As far as she could see in any direction, in this early dawn, there was no break or hint of sunlight for this day.

Slipping into her heavy robe, Megan made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. If ever there was a need for morning coffee, this was certainly it. She was alone in the house, but strangely, was never lonely. She had moved in with her grandmother two years earlier to help out with the needs of her ageing, but beloved Nanna. Just this past spring, despite everything that could be done, her Nanna slipped into unconsciousness and left the world, and Megan, behind.

The hot, steamy brown liquid was like a warm hug as Megan cuddled her cup in both hands. The day might not be so bad afterall. She had been working so hard in the garden, that a day relaxing and being lulled by the constant sound of the rain, could be a day of guiltless relaxation.

Taking her coffee to the back door, she walked out onto the covered veranda and lowered herself into the cushions of the porch swing. Megan had always loved rain and by now the lightening had ended to give way to a murky, wet morning. Her thoughts were involved in watching the water disappearing into the lake when she heard the sound again. A child? How could there be a child crying outside in this pouring, early morning rain? It sounded, as though it was coming from...the lake? How could it be...or what could it be? The hair on Megan's arms began to rise as if something just crawled down her spine.

Grabbing a hooded jacket from a hook just inside near the kitchen door, Megan threw it over her head and ran down the stone path to the water's edge. The sound increased and it became even more clear to her that she was hearing the cries of a very young baby. The cry was coming from a boat shed which belonged to the neighbors, but sat closer to Megan's property.

The door was unlocked, and pulling the large door open, Megan could see a young woman laying on a tarp on the dirt floor and clutching a new baby. From the looks of things, the child was only hours old. Crouching near the mother and child, Megan was able to see the young mother was alive but unconscious. She gathered the baby into the jacket and ran for the house, and to the telephone.

Within minutes the paramedics were there to transport mother and child to the local hospital. The poor girl was conscious now and as the stretcher passed by, she reached out for Megan's hand. "Thank you, so much" she uttered weakly. "I prayed for a miracle, and you came."

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