The glass cracked

“Yes. Thank you,” Fern said quietly, gathering her things.

Embla hesitated. “If there’s a problem, an emergency, you call.”

They both knew there was nothing Embla could do, but it was a nice gesture. Fern smiled, a little warmed. “Thank you.”

Wind blasted her as she exited the cab, a light dusting of flakes hitting her face. “Drive careful.” She hesitated and added mischievously, “Stay warm.”

Embla guffawed and shut the door. As if a frost giant would ever worry about that.

Fern unlocked the door to the foyer and let herself in, grateful for the warm air. Her mailbox was empty, so she trudged up three flights of stairs (the elevator was still, as always, broken) and let herself into her tiny apartment. Leaving her duffle by the door and shedding layers, she hung them up on hooks and gratefully sat on her bed...the only place to sit in the small space.

It was clean, with just enough room for a tiny bathroom, micro closet and a mini fridge stacked with a microwave, coffee maker and hot plate. There were shelves with minimal cooking supplies, but that was it. She didn’t even have a TV.

At least it was affordable, and safe...usually.

After her shower, she curled up in long johns and socks under the covers and tried to focus on the newest book she’d downloaded on her tablet. Maybe she should have a snack. She had food in the fridge, things Embla insisted she take home. Embla considered a lot of human food sub-par, improperly prepared and likely to cause weakness. She didn’t want her kitchen help getting sick, because it would mean she’d have to do her own dishes.

The wind was picking up, rattling the iron shutters, and she could hear the faintest trace of a moan.

She gave up and got dressed. She checked her emergency bag, tucked her tablet, charger and a metal water bottle inside just in case. Maybe it was silly. It wasn’t like she could run outside with storm hags on the rampage. The sensible thing was to hunker down and…

A tremendous blow rocked the building.

Fern yelped and instinctively ducked. Heart racing, she listened and...another deafening blow rattled her shutters. The glass cracked.