Fury of the Storm: The Walkway

“Oh no, this storm is growing worse,” said Alexandria, wrapping her scarf tighter around her face. “I could freeze to death out here.” She could barely see where she was going and clung to the guard rail on the icy walkway. “I never should have taken the short cut across the dam. I thought it would get me home faster, but this is so treacherous!”

Alexandria was slipping and sliding with every step. The fury of the storm felt like utter contempt hurled at her personally, as the ice-cold wind lashed at her face. The heavy wind made walking almost impossible.

“I should be wearing skates, not high-heel boots.” Alexandria thought, as the cold waves slammed against the cement walls of the dam, splashing her with icy water each time. “I am totally drenched and stiff like an icicle.”    

Just then, Alexandria slipped on the ice. Unable to keep her balance, she tumbled to the concrete landing on her wrist.

“Ouch!” she cried, getting back up on her feet. “That hurts!”

Suddenly, a tall, dark figure loomed large, immediately in front of her.

“Need help, ma’am?” a booming male voice asked. “You women never dress properly for winter weather!”    
There was a brief moment of relief from the fury of the storm, as the man’s body sheltered her from the cold wind and icy water.

“It’s a good thing I came along when I did,” said the man, whose mustache, beard and eyebrows were full of mini icicles.  

“Thank you for helping me,” said Alexandria with relief. “Who are you?”

“I'm the keeper of the dam,” the man replied. “I operate the floodgates. I live in that huge house at the other end of the dam. During the winter, I rescue women like you, all of the time. Do you have much further to go?”

“I live on the ridge,” replied Alexandria, wondering if he was offering to take her the rest of the way.

“Which is worse,” she wondered, “Battling the fury of the storm, or trusting this stranger?”