So, I’m taking the leap today, and starting my 1st Monday Mini-Novella series. This particular story is one that’s been rolling around in my head since October. I hope you enjoy it.
Frozen – Part 1
She closed the door behind her and methodically locked each of the five locks that spanned its length, her fingers shaking almost uncontrollably.
She eased her feet out of her shoes and moved them to the mat, watching the snow turn to liquid and begin to form small pools on the fibers, squinting to see if the water was pure, or if there were any traces of blood to be seen.
Have to come back to that later, she thought to herself.
She unwound the scarf from her neck, and took a deep breath at the cool air that assaulted her skin, which had been kept warm beneath it’s wool. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on her coat, still nearly frozen from the blizzard outside. As she hung up her coat, she caught sight of a tiny smudge of red on the sleeve. She pulled it back from the coat rack and walked, her feet softly padding on the carpet, to the kitchen. She opened the french doors to reveal the washer and dryer, opened the lid and dropped in the coat. She then undressed herself, dropping all of her clothes into the machine. She poured in the soap, turned the dials, closed the lid and stood, naked, with her hands resting on the machine, head hanging low and choked back a sob.
Her body convulsed in a massive shiver and when it had passed through every limb, she lifted her head and walked, in a daze, to the bathroom. She turned the hot water handle as far as it would go and stepped in. For a minute or two, she stood, letting the water scald her skin, watching it turn pink, knowing this wasn’t the way to warm up skin that was nearly frozen. Knowing that she should gradually warm the skin so as not to do any permanent damage. Yet, knowing that it would take water much, much hotter than this to begin to thaw what was frozen inside, far below her, now red, skin.
Finally, she added some cold to the formula and as the temperature abated, she reached for the soap and began to lather her body. Her arms, her legs, her chest, her face, yet always, always returning to her hands. Scrubbing and rinsing, scrubbing and rinsing.
It had started out as a good night.
One of the first good nights she had experienced in a long time.
She wasn’t sure what had made her say “yes” when her cubicle mate had asked her, again, to go out with her and some other colleagues.
In the past, the “no” had always been reflex. Yet, tonight, she paused and somehow managed to say “yes.”
And she had been glad she went.
Not happy.
Happy wasn’t for her, she knew.
Happy had been ripped from her vocabulary, from her reality, years ago.
But she had been glad.
She listened and smiled as her colleagues teased each other and laughed and drank and told stories. They had an obvious camaraderie and she was somewhat comfortable in their presence, something else that hadn’t happened in awhile.
She should have known.
The moment she let down her guard…well, she just should have known.
She stepped out of the shower and vigorously toweled off. She wrung out her hair, flipped back her head, wrapped the towel around her body, securing it above her breasts. She used the side of her fist and rubbed a circle in the mirror.
She gazed at her reflection.
The same.
Strange, she thought. I was sure I’d look different.
Follow the story – Frozen – Part 2 can be found here.
You like to leave us hanging don’t you?! LOL …. Great start and good luck! I think this idea will be a wonderful addition to the blog.
Comment by Debbie @ ouroldhomestead.blogspot.com — April 9, 2012 @ 8:08 am |
Thanks, Debbie! I hope so!
Comment by abozza — April 9, 2012 @ 8:13 am |
Wow, now I can’t wait to read the rest!
Comment by Michelle Cook King — April 9, 2012 @ 8:11 am |
Thanks, Michelle! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Comment by abozza — April 9, 2012 @ 8:13 am |
Can’t wait til next Monday! I’m already hooked!
Comment by Jen at PIWTPITT — April 9, 2012 @ 10:16 am |
Thanks, Jen! Hope I don’t disappoint!
Comment by abozza — April 9, 2012 @ 4:20 pm |
Bravo!! Like the others, I can’t wait to read the rest!
Comment by Vivian — April 9, 2012 @ 2:34 pm |
Thanks, Vivian! Hope you like it!
Comment by abozza — April 9, 2012 @ 4:26 pm |
No warm and fuzzy bedtime story here, I fear! How many installments in this mini-novella are you planning?
Comment by Mary Anne — April 9, 2012 @ 9:32 pm |
Not quite sure…right now, two, but I may pull it out to 3. 🙂
Comment by abozza — April 10, 2012 @ 8:04 am |
Great!!! you know I will keep reading….and you so know who what I am predicting!!!! Can’t wait fro the next part!!!!! jb
Comment by jb — April 10, 2012 @ 9:43 am |
🙂 Thanks, jb! 🙂
Comment by abozza — April 10, 2012 @ 9:50 am |
Ooooooh, this is the kind of writing I love. I can’t wait for the next installment, I’m hooked
Comment by Mae — April 11, 2012 @ 7:50 am |
Thanks, Mae! Glad to have you reading! 🙂
Comment by abozza — April 11, 2012 @ 7:59 am |
[…] You can read Frozen – Part 1 here. […]
Pingback by Frozen – Part 2 « My Real Life — April 16, 2012 @ 6:14 am |
[…] can read Frozen – Part 1 here, and Frozen – Part 2 […]
Pingback by Frozen – The Final Chapter « My Real Life — April 30, 2012 @ 6:02 am |