Magnolia rains

Bang! Bang!

Thunder crashed leaving a silhouette of a couple spread across large oak church doors. Beaten down over time from rain, tears, and many ceremonies over the many years since these lightly decorated doors were raised by the founders of GreyStorm. Tapping her small feet as she walked as fast as she could at such an hour towards the front doors, Sister Allison was met with a small bundle of black hair. The thunder crashed again and with it, the wind started to pick up. The rain started thrashing in what felt like every direction, leaving the air grey and fuzzy for miles. This is why GreyStorm is named as such.

The wailing of a newborn baby is undeniable as it pierces Sister Allison's eardrums. Sister Mary was awake by now, it would be hard not to. She sat bouncing the babe while Allison took a break and warmed up a fresh blanket.

"Really now Allison, how are we to take care of a baby right now with everything the way it is right now? This poor girl is such a beaut I can't believe someone wouldn't want to keep her." Mary held the sweet child close to her. Allison stood quiet while tediously preparing things they'll need in the coming hours. "She'll need a name..." Mary exhaled and so happened to somehow soothe the once restless child. "My God, she's finally quiet. Sweet Magnolia."

"Magnolia?" Allison came over and took the babe from Sister Mary. She carefully swaddled the baby in its new warm dry blanket. "What an elegant name for such a beautiful child. She can stay with me tonight and we can consult with the rest of the sisters in the morning. Please, Mary, I'm very thankful for your help tonight but go get yourself some rest." Allison started gathering her things, preparing to head back to her room.

"What a lovely name, Sister Allison. You are right, we can't both be tired in the morning." Sister Mary sat up and dusted off her lap. She was a shorter than average woman, with a slight hunch in her back. Her hair was a soft white that fell just past her shoulders, of course, it's normally tied back and out of her face. She started waddling her way towards to hallway. "Goodnight Sister, if you need any more help you know where to find me. May God let you rest well tonight." With a kind smile and a slight wave of her small dainty hand, then Sister Mary disappeared down the long dark hallway towards her quarters.

"Sweet Magnolia, how your black tuffs of fresh hair sway on your scalp, and how your small button nose wrinkles when you cry. You were meant to come here, and from this moment on, I will vow to take care of you until you can take care of yourself." Sister Allison gently kissed Magnolia's undisturbed forehead. "If you do nothing in your life other than share your kindness and your gratitude then I'll have done my job." She walked down the adjacent hall towards her room. Her footsteps left a soft echo underneath her slippers.

The only noises that came from the sweet young soul left asleep in Sister Allison's arms were the heavy breath of a deep slumber. A newborn baby with a name given by a nun. No biological parents but a loving family ready to give their home to her. Little did the nuns know, the adoptive daughter they let into their hearts will be a wild free spirit. A force to be reckoned with. A bang to start the war.