Timmytangtang's messages

Torrents of rain patter on the smudged windowpane in front of me, forming a cascade of water that makes the bright lights of the city blurry and distorted. At this time of day, seeing any details through the window would be hopeless even if there was no storm, but I keep my eyes focused on the shadows of the horizon, waiting for any movement from the far hills. They are coming. I can feel it.
“Worst storm I’ve ever seen. I don’t think they plan on doing anything in weather this atrocious.”
Hansel sits to my right, eating a midnight snack of butter on toast while watching me intently. From the corner of my eyes I can still see his face twisted in an expression of pure derision. He respects me, I know that, but if any stranger walked by and saw him staring at me he would think us enemies with the way Hansel looks at me.
“That is why we have to keep a lookout. They’ll come when we least expect it.”
“Austin, this is foolish. It’s almost dawn, and we have been waiting for them all night. If they were to come in the morning, when we are exhausted from sleep, we would have no chance!”
In the pauses in our conversation the only sound to be heard is that of the rain thumping against the roof of the tower like the footsteps of a marching army. Light from the lone torch that illuminates the small office flickers with the cool breeze that comes through the tiny cracks in the stone walls of the tower, causing the shadows cast against the wall to dance without time or rhythm. I keep my eyes focused on the hills in the distance, and pretend to be oblivious to the exasperation in Hansel’s tone.
“We have already been over this, Hansel. The message said-.”