Shh, part 4

The wind gusted this way and that, sweeping the rain away before slamming it back at Lenn in huge wet slaps. His poncho scudded away from his numb fingers and nearly strangled him until he forced it back under control.

He walked uphill toward the commercial district so that when he could cut across the street in shallower water, though it was still rising. The current flowing down the sidewalk stole his footing. Twice he awkwardly made a one-handed grab on to thin trunks of sagging trees in order to stay upright. He was cold enough that his teeth were beginning to chatter.

A narrow alleyway between unmarked business buildings looked like it was channeling less water than the rest of the streets and he splashed toward it. As he stepped onto the noticeably drier ground, something fell with a crash, spilling cans and bottles; loud in the narrow confines of the alley. Lenn froze, heart gripped by possibility.

Painfully aware of how alone he was, Lenn dug his keys out his pocket and gripped them hard.