IWSG: Draft Attack

                                                                                                                                                      

As I'm flipping through the paper looking for ideas, I hear a shift in the wind. Then the phone rings and I can't find the receiver. By the time I realize it's hidden underneath the newspapers, it stops ringing. I check the caller ID, and it reads "Private Caller." What if it's my agent calling, and I missed it? What if they cast the wrong actress to play the lead in the movie version of my bestseller? Why couldn't they bother to leave a message? The wind picks up, and suddenly I'm wide awake.

It's four in the morning, and I can't fall back asleep. The bedroom is freezing cold, so I put on a robe over my nightgown, and climb under the covers. I'm anxious to get back to my dream to find out who the mystery caller is.

Just as I'm about to doze off, the wind starts blowing harder. When I turn in the opposite direction my husband's snoring is gaining momentum, and I'm faced with a cross-current draft of epic proportions. Unfortunately, this bitter breeze lingers, leaving me with nowhere to turn.

I fight off the urge to take a pillow to put an end to my suffering by offering a few gentle kicks instead. The snoring continues. Then I roll him over on his other side. Now wind gusts are causing debilitating air pressure. Fed up, I grab the baseball bat from under the bed and start swinging.

I wake up covered in sweat, so I take off the blanket along with the robe. With years of practice, I can accomplish these tasks in complete darkness. Comfy in a dry nightgown with my purring man by my side, I try to go back to sleep. Soon the leaves start rattling on the trees, and my feet are freezing cold. I put socks on, and long to finally return to my dream.

The phone rings twice before I answer it. It's Alex calling to remind me about the  Insecure Writer's Support Group.  He says that he spoke to the warden, and they've agreed to let me submit my story from my prison cell. I look down at the bloody baseball bat, as I hear the police sirens. Then I ask Alex how he knew, and he just laughs that laugh of his. Before hanging up, he says something about a cold front coming in, and suggests that I wear layers.

Photo Prompt 20: The First Snowfall

Thanks to  Delores @thefeatherednest

                                                                                                                               

Two close friends were walking through the park when one of them was overcome by hot flashes.  After taking a few swigs from the water bottle Ashley still didn't seem to cool off, so Morgan tried to come up with another plan.

Morgan thought it would be a good idea to try hypnosis. They found a nice quiet bench in the shade. Though it was a warm summer day, Morgan told Ashley to imagine a blustery winter scene. Ashley laughed until the calm steady voice made it impossible to stay awake.

Images of snow gently falling on the path were going through Ashley's mind. They were running and playing in the snow like children, until fresh footsteps were discovered on a nearby path. This didn't make sense as they had the whole park to themselves. Morgan noticed that Ashley was clinging on tightly while continuing to doze.

Suddenly, the path was transformed into a ski slope, and Ashley was heading straight down at a maddening pace. It didn't help that this was Ashley's first time on skis; scantily clad in running shorts and a tank top. Morgan yelled to stop, as a large bear with small feet was waiting at the end of the trail.

After much prodding and shaking, Ashley finally woke up. Morgan felt the claw marks as he gently unlatched Ashley from his arm. Though it was warm and humid, Ashley had an overwhelming desire for a hot chocolate. Morgan was feeling quite proud of himself when he spotted Avery and Mel.

Avery was Ashley's twin sister who was out walking her dog Mel. The couple told Avery about how the power of hypnosis helped Ashley fight off hot flashes. Avery said that she never should have told Ashley about her hot flashes in the first place. She went on to say that ever since they were kids, when one of them would even so much as sneeze, the other would be sick for days. 

Since Avery knew that her twin felt everything that she did so deeply, she was very careful about sharing news of even the slightest discomfort. Though she had to laugh when she mistakenly thought that it was safe to complain about her hot flashes. After all, Ashley was her twin brother.