The clouds form a mass of darkness

a herd of black sheep

A sight to see.

The air shivers with apprehension

warmth bites the skin

Moisture sticks like glue

a pale, invisible film

It slowly chokes you.

There is a silence

That wraps the surroundings

in a shroud of tight ropes

Suspense hangs

A hangman's noose creaking in

the wind.

The battle erupts in a blink of the eye

Arrows of water fall in straight lines

parallel lines of a million heads

of cold, splattering metal

The enemy down below is

completely unaware.

As the arrows continue

their storm of shots

the enemy begins to panic,

scatter and search for shelter.

The brave ones begin to pop open

shields of various colors.

The hammering of death's messengers

tap at the surface of the vinyl umbrella

One is safe

For now.

Until the carnage begins.