Bang!

Jay huddled cozily into his blanket, rolling over to look at the lightning storm through the window. He never tired of watching streak after streak of bluey-white electricity fork open the skies, stabbing through the clouds to let down the rain.

"Very poetic," he laughed at himself. "Nya would like that."

Another deafening roll of thunder shook the room. Jay grinned, scooting closer to the window for a better view. He was just in time- a further flash of lightning branched downward into the ground.

Behind him, someone whimpered softly.

Jay whirled around. The room was dark, and none of the beds were empty. Kai was sleeping peacefully, a low snore emanating from him now and then. Zane was curled up in bed, eyes shut in serene calmness.

Cole's bed had blankets pulled up right over the occupant's head.

Jay slid out of bed and padded across the floor, reaching Cole just as another bolt of lightning illuminated the scene. Another faint whimper rose from underneath the blanket.

"Hey, Cole, what's going on?"

A hand reached out from the covers and pulled them off of their owner's head. Cole's face was chalk-white under his black hair, and his eyes were wild. "Jay!"

"Yeah, it's me." Jay tried to keep his voice down. "Why are you-?"

"Shhhh!"

Jay went quiet. Cole took a deep breath. A burst of white-blue light flashed through the room, followed instantly by a fierce explosion of thunder, and Cole flinched.

"You're scared of the thunder?" Jay whispered. Cole shook his head angrily, desperately.

"Not the thunder, Jay. Go back to bed."

"The rain, then?" Jay persisted doggedly. Cole shook his head again.

"Jay, I said go back to bed!"

"Not until you tell me why you're hiding under the blanket."