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The formation of gray storm clouds swirling in the sky meant that a thunderstorm was about to make an ear-splitting visit to the town of Gravesfield.
Spotting these dark clouds grow bigger in the sky while looking out the front window caused a surge of fear to rush through Kid Philip.
The youngest Wittebane shuddered as he heard the first boom, his shoulders beginning to tense up.
He moved back slightly from the glass.
When the second bang echoed through the air, which was a lot heavier and more aggressive than the first, Philip let out a small and sudden yelp.
He jolted up immediately and took off quickly upstairs when a crackling burst of light flashed in the sky for no less than a second.
...
"Philip?" Kid Caleb called out to his brother as he searched for him, opening their room door to enter inside.
Upon hearing what sounded like chattering teeth coming from under his bed, Caleb walked over to his bedside and crouched down.
He was greeted by a pair of familiar blue eyes.
Philip, wrapped up tight in a fluffy blanket, shivered in fear as he flinched at the sound of another powerful boom ringing in the sky.
He backed away further under his brother's bed like a scared little kitten.
Caleb's face displayed a combination of sadness and care.
The thunderstorm bellowing outside was clearly frightening to his brother, but how could he help him overcome this fear?
As Caleb began to think of ways to help, a few ideas that he thought would be useful filled his mind as he smiled brightly.
...
"Get back here, you speedy little witch hunter!" Caleb cackled a heinous cackle as he playfully chased his little brother around the sitting room, wearing his brown witch hat and small cape. "I only wish to eat you whole!"
"Never!" Philip laughed as he ran, too fast for the "witch" to catch him, a bright cheer in his voice as he wore his brown wooden mask.
"You'll never eat me whole, you wicked witch!"
Exuberant laughter was emanating from both boys, their giggles bubbling with pure joy.
Philip was far too occupied with having fun with his brother to even notice or react to the furious claps of thunder from outside.
...
"Remember, Philip," Caleb began softly, his voice soothing as he and Philip sat side by side under a blanket, watching the storm from the front window.
The blonde smiled, pulling his brother close.
"Whenever you see lightning, start counting slowly. Upon hearing the thunder, cease counting. That's how far away the storm is. Understood?"
Philip responded with a nod, his smile soft as he leaned into Caleb's embrace.
His big brother really did give the warmest snuggles.
...
As time passed, Philip eventually overcame his fear of thunderstorms.
He now finds both fun and excitement in them.
Instead of fearing them, he embraced them wholeheartedly since they meant that he and Caleb would be inside and they could do lots of fun things together.