Kiss in the Rain It was raining, obivously, as it always did in these parts of Scotland. It was very unlikely that I would meet a stranger walking along the grey, cobbled road and disturb my peace. My footsteps were faintly echoing in the narrow valley, as my well-worn brown shoes were hitting the wet granite. My black trenchcoat was already soaking wet and it was only encumbering me from getting to my destination faster, as it was heavy, dragging me down, aiding the relentless force inside me, that tried to prevent me from doing what I wanted. The raining seemed to be getting worse. Thunder travelled from afar, from where the storm was brewing. I reckoned it wasn't going to last long until it gets here. I hurried through the fog and prayed to get to the old shack before some lightning could hit me. I've made a few more steps whenIi noticed something in the distance. I stopped on the spot. A shady silhuette was walking on the grey cobbled road, slowly approaching me. It looked like a man with a limp and a big, wide hat with water dripping from its end. My heart started beating faster and I took a few steps back. I couldn't think of a reason why someone would go out in such weather and why he would ever go to this abandoned valley. Nobody ever came here because the place was said to be haunted and the people in the nearby village, where Emily and I grew up, were very superstitious. »Good evening.« said the old man with bright blue eyes, whose face was mostly covered by a dirty, grey beard. He was very short and had a rugged looking walking cane in his hand. »Good evening,« I replied and couldn't help but wonder what he could possibly want from me. »Follow me,« he said, turned around and continued his way along the path. »I'm sorry sir, but I don't think you know where I'm going and I can find my way around here alone so you shouldn't worry about me. I don't think you should be out here in such weather though …« The man just kept on going and didn't show any sign, that would tell me if he actually heard what I said. I stared at him and couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He probably wasn't in his right mind anymore at this age. I couldn't make myself to just leave him there. »Wonderful. A madman in the mountains. Can my day get any better?« I murmured to myself and ran after the man, who was disappearing in the fog again. »Sir? Where are you Sir? I must insist you return to the village with me. It's not safe here …« He was nowhere to be seen. He was obviously quite more agile than one would say on first sight. »Right here young man. Don't fall behind …« I heard from the fog, but the only thing I could see was the cobbled road behind and in front of me. »Well isn't this just magical …« A small path made of gravel parted from the cobbled road and led to the unknown. Emily and I passed this place many times through our childhood, but we never dared to venture unto these paths, unknow even to the village elders, who always dismissed childish rumours of ghost and undead roaming the highlands and played in these valleys as children themselves. But the old man decided to take this path as I found out, when I heard »When I was your age, I ran like the wind,« from the distance. The way to the shack never parted from the grey cobbled road and Emily never dared to even step from the safe haven it offered. »Hunting a madman in the mountains, what a lovely afternoon« and even more so if you considered that the rain was already pouring down when I stepped on the gravely path. I had to catch him fast so I wouldn't get lost. »Sir, you should really go with me, I'll escort you to the village. You'll be taken care of there …« I tried again, more out of despair than hope that he'll return. »Do not worry …« he said and I could only barely still hear him through the roaring of the wind. »Do not worry at all …« His voice was swept away. I could only make out a chaos of abstruse words that were thrown around by the wind. I stopped and the gravel gritted under my shoes. »This is stupid. If he wants to get lost, so be it. I have other, more important bussines to attend to rather than playing hide and seek with a quirky old junkie.« I said to myself. »Yes, other bussines …« I nodded, turned on my heels and hoped I haven't got too lost on the way here. I had to get to the shack, otherwise I would never be able to let her go and I had to get there before dusk. The storm I found myself in was already enough of a nuisance and I didn't need darkness to spice it all up a bit more. As I walked and looked under my feet so I wouldn't step in a puddle even though I was already soaking wet, something hard hit the back of my head. I never noticed where it came from and what it was. It was hard and, well … Painful. It made a dull sound upon impact. Darkness fell before my eyes and I collapsed under my own weight. Later I thought it must have been the old creep but then I just lay on the gravel not worrying about anything or anyone. Except the one who I came for. »Vincent …« whispered the soft voice I cherished so much. It hovered in the air for a bit, before it was carried away by the warm breeze. »Wake up.« It was her again. Becoming more present, more tangible, visible. I could reach out and touch her soft curls that spiralled down her back over a light blue, silky dress. I could suddenly feel my fingers and toes, my body and dry, warm clothes on it. I felt rested and content. »Vincent … Look at me.« She said again. This time by my side. I could feel her warmth, her breath, her presence in every corner of the space I was in. I opened my eyes and saw her one last time, sitting beside me, patiently looking at me with her mellow gaze. There was no rain, no fog, no cold, wet coats pushing me down into the dirt. It was only her. Her face clean and fleckless, much different from the face I saw after the accident. I stepped towards her and slowly put my hands around her waist. »Emily …« She only smiled and her green eyes lit up. I kissed her. Gently and sensually. I knew, I was never going to see her again until I joined her wherever she was now. It seemed as if the moment lasted forever. Years passed and no time could destroy our existance. Wars broke but none could destroy our love. Death took our bodies, but our hearts didn't fall apart into dust. Our lips parted. She smiled again. She brushed my cheek, turned around and walked away. I watched as her silhuette got smaller and smaller until it disappeared on the featureless horizon. A moment later I have found myself standing in the middle of the gravel road. The kettle, in which the storm was brewing, blew over. Wet, cold and with tears in my eyes I returned home.