The Storm

Unfortunately for us the journey to the next village wasn't without it's issues. Instead of being greeted by the morning sun, a sudden storm blew in. We halted our travel plans and hastily built a shelter against the rocks with branches for pillars and leaves for the roof. It felt a little claustrophobic but what can we do? We managed to both huddle together in the shelter. Yet, getting all close and personal wasn't the main issue. The rain poured, and the wind blew and out went our fire. Just like a thick fog engulfs its surroundings, black mist crept towards us.
My breath quickened. It was like facing a nightmare. An enemy that can't be cut down or stopped. If I was smart I would have taken out a match or a flare, even if it was only temporary. But I was physically and mentally exhausted and something in me snapped. I've never had a panic attack before but there's a first for everything. I started hyperventilating; my mind filled with every negative thought I normally push aside. I forgot where I was, who I was. All I could focus on was the mist creeping its way towards me. And then I started shaking. Very forcefully.
"Taya, snap out of it!"
Demi had his arms on either side of me, shaking me to attention. I blinked once, twice. Then my vision cleared and I could see the man looking at me with a face full of concern. I took a deep breath. That's when I noticed a blue glow outside our shelter. Demi had spread blue flames in a circle around our shelter, keeping the mist away.
I sighed in relief.
"Are you feeling better now?"
Now that I've regained my senses I couldn't help feeling embarrassed. My cheeks turned red. I must've looked like such an idiot! I avoided his eyes and nodded my head.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Since my flames are connected to me the storm won't have any effect on them. You don't have to worry. I'm sorry, I should have told you when the storm started."
"You don't have to apologize, I'm sorry I froze up like that. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"In the past three days you've had very little rest and fought a mutant twice. This is a normal reaction. I've seen it plenty of times on the battlefield so you shouldn't feel bad about it."
"...really? You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"
"...after my first day on the frontlines, I had a similar reaction. Actually, you're doing better than me. I threw up and my predecessor made fun of me for weeks. "
My eyes widened. Demi was so strong I can't even imagine such a thing. But then again he was younger than I am now when he saw his first battle.
"That's so rude! Is that really something to make fun of?!" I was indignant. How dare they! While I'm here pissed, Demi was quietly laughing. "He didn't do it to be mean; it was to lighten the atmosphere. What's hell without jokes? Nothing but terror."
Ahhh, I get it now. Nuns don't really joke much so it's been forever since anyone's tried to lift my spirits that way. I talked a lot with my previous partner but we didn't tease each other. "Thank you for telling me. I feel a little better." Demi told me a few more stories about his mentor but I don't remember what happened after that. With the release of tension, I drifted off to the land of dreams.