Storm arrives in CandleWick
It had been a quiet week in Candlewick. The autumn leaves were just beginning to turn golden, and the crisp air carried the comforting scents of pumpkin, cinnamon, and freshly baked bread from the town bakery. But one evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the air began to change. A dense, gray wall of clouds rolled in, and a sharp wind swept through the streets, rattling windows and scattering leaves.
The storm arrived with little warning.
Cynthia, the town’s beloved mail carrier, had just returned home, her Siamese cat, Sapphire, curling up by the fireplace as thunder rumbled in the distance. "Looks like it's going to be a big one," she murmured, pulling the curtains shut. Sapphire flicked her tail, unimpressed.
At GlitterWicks, London had just finished pouring a new batch of candles. The warm glow of her creations filled the shop as the wind howled outside. She glanced out the window, watching the first heavy drops of rain hit the glass. "Its raining cats and dogs out there! ," she said to herself, securing the shutters.
Across town, Anna and her family were gathered in the living room, playing a board game when the storm hit in full force. The kids gasped as a flash of lightning lit up the room, followed by a loud crack of thunder. Brent reassured them with a laugh. "It's just nature putting on a show," he said, though his eyes darted to the windows as the wind picked up.
Go, who had just finished her shift at Mac’s Veteran Center, was on her way home when the downpour began. Her car’s windshield wipers worked overtime as she carefully navigated the slick roads. Halloween decorations swayed precariously in the gusts, and she made a mental note to check her own porch when she got home.
At Diesel Mechanic’s Garage, Mrs. Diesel Mechanic was in her element. A stranded driver had pulled in just as the storm began, and she was busy diagnosing their truck’s engine under the glow of the shop lights. The rain hammered the roof, but inside, the atmosphere was warm and industrious. "Storm or no storm, we get things done," she said with a grin, handing the driver a steaming mug of coffee.
As the storm raged on, the town’s power flickered, then went out entirely. Candlewick was plunged into darkness, save for the warm glow of candles in nearly every window. At GlitterWicks, London grabbed one of her signature creations—"Christmas Nights," and lit it, letting the calming scent fill the shop.
Neighbors checked on one another, sharing candles and flashlights. At Anna’s house, the family huddled together, telling stories by candlelight. Go lit her favorite GlitterWicks scent, Florida Brunch, and sat by the window, watching the rain lash against the panes. Despite the chaos outside, there was a sense of calm and togetherness within the town.
By morning, the storm had passed, leaving Candlewick quiet once more. The streets were littered with branches and leaves, but the damage was minimal. The townspeople emerged from their homes, armed with brooms and rakes, ready to clean up and help one another.
Cynthia was the first to start her rounds, delivering mail with Sapphire trotting alongside her, inspecting the puddles. At GlitterWicks, London opened her shop early, offering free candles to anyone who needed them. Mrs. Diesel Mechanic headed out on her motorcycle to check on stranded vehicles, her leather jacket gleaming in the post-storm sunlight.
As the town pulled together to tidy up, a rainbow stretched across the sky, a sign of resilience and renewal. Candlewick had weathered the storm, not just as individuals but as a community bound by kindness and care. By the afternoon, the bakery had fresh loaves ready, GlitterWicks smelled of new creations, and the streets were buzzing with life once again.
In Candlewick, even the storms couldn’t dampen the spirit of its people.
