The Story of Charlie

Charlie came into our lives on the thirteenth of December, 2004.  It was a dark and stormy night, and the airport was closed, but the pilot, a bloodthirsty lascar hired in Singapore the year before, landed anyway, ignoring warnings and threats from the tower.

We approached the plane.  It was still and dark, but in a flash of lightning, we saw the pilot in the cockpit.  We waved.  He waved back.  Beside him, in the co-pilot's seat, was Charlie, grinning diabolically.

A shot rang out.  A siren sounded in the distance.  Lightning flashed and thunder roared.  Rain fell in torrents.  The wind blew in angry gusts.  Charlie yipped.  The pilot flinched.  Lucy smiled.