When I think back to that day, the one thing that sticks out in my mind is

the wind. The wind, that thrust the trees from side to side, that made the house

creak. The wind is what made that day eerie.

It was a mid-spring morning, about ten o'clock. I was at home, alone, as it

was a Sunday. Mom and [sister] were at church, and Dad was probably working.

I, as usual, had slept in. I walked upstairs to get myself some breakfast, which

consisted of cereal and juice. As I sat down to eat, a sudden gust of wind blew

over the house, in through the open window, and across my face. I shivered.

I an not one who is easily scared by the elements. I find that if respect the

weather, it respects me. Today, however, there was something that made my

skin crawl. I got up to close the window, and gazed out for a few seconds after I

had shut it. There were only a few high, wispy clouds in the sky, and the sun

seemed unusually bright.

I turned on the television to keep myself distracted, to keep my attention

anyway from the window. As I realised it was a Sunday, and the only programs on

were 'Day of Discovery' and 'World Vision Weep-a-Thon', I sighed in disgust.

Before my hand had time to turn the television off, the screen flashed off and our

oven let off four loud bangs. I jumped three feet straight up.

The power had gone out. Our oven, because it manages it's power

peculiarly, let out the bangs in a vain attempt to keep itself running. By this time,

my heart was beating about twice it's normal rate, and I was quite paranoid. I

turned the TV off anyway, and sat down to finish my breakfast. Fortunately, I did

so in a quiet, if nervous, peace.

Without anything electric to amuse myselft with, my mind started playing

tricks on me, trying to fool me into restlessness. I decided to go for a bike ride.

Now, if you have never gone for a bike ride in the wind, let me educate you as to

how fun it is. It is not a very bad ride going to your destination with the wind at

your back, but on they way back, it is hell. Even short trips that involve strong

wind wear you out.

When I arrived home I was ready to crawl back into bed. At least my mind

was no longer thinking about the abnormality of the day. Sure enough, something

happened. I heard an odd scraping sound and a load crash from out on our deck.

When I investigated, I found it to be our umbrella and patio table that had blown

off the deck. I hauled them back up, closed up the umbrella, and took one final

look before I headed in.

The sun was still unusually bright, pounding down on me. The wind

whistled through my ears, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I opened the

door and walked in by myself, but the door seemed to pull itself shut. It was

probably just the uneven air pressure, but it still seemed scary, like some wind

demon was playing with my psyche.

I walked back into the house. The power had come back on while I was on

the deck, and a few minutes later, my dad arrived home. The fear evaporated,

and the day continued on like any other. But I still remember that strange bright

sun, and the wind.