Ice Fishing
A Story Every Day in 2024 Dec 10th ?/366
Anders was hungry with a craving for fish. Not dried but fresh. Not smoked but pink and plump. Saliva welled in his mouth as he thought of it. Spurred on by the prospect of his potential dinner, he threw some more logs onto the fire, not too high and not too many; just enough to smoulder. He moved the chair he'd crafted a little further away. Wood burnt well and fire didn't care in what form it found wood.
Furs on, he pulled on boots, mittens and grabbed his shovel. He toyed with bringing his sled and decided he would. He could sit on it, while he fished. He untied Asta, his dog and headed off to the lake. His line was made from animal sinew, and he had guts for bait, the bits he didn't eat.
"Come on, girl," he called to Asta who was gambolling round his feet, yipping excitedly. "Let's go!"
Asta leading, they reached the lake's edge and were soon in the middle.
Anders loved the wilderness. He was a simple man of simple tastes. He liked the isolation. He thought this as he looked for a spot to stop and chip into the ice. Using his foot to shift the snow, he cleared powder to uncover blue glass and set to work. Asta scampered about on the surface, leaving tracks alongside others.
The clash of metal on ice reverberated in the valley, reflected back by the steep rock slopes barely covered in snow. Anders was sweating. This was tough.
No water yet but he caught a flash of pink. Pink? Strange. He'd expect silver, maybe a mottled brown. You wouldn't have fish this close to the surface. Not in this cold.
He stopped.
Pink.
He looked for Asta. She was running around but he called her to him. He wanted her close.
He looked again.
A shape. Pink. Under the ice.
Suddenly, Anders was glad that the ice was intact. With some urgency, he stumbled across the lake and prayed that whatever he'd seen couldn't break the ice. He didn't stop until he reached the warmth of his cabin with Asta.
He relished his dried fish.
But he dreaded the thaw.
***
366 words
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Arrested
Luke I read Bethan's text and my heart sank. I'd be lying if I didn't feel relief as well but that didn't last. I was so geared up. Ever since we agreed to meet, I've been rehearsing in my head what I'd say, how I'd explain what happened. I thought about what to tell her, what not to tell her. It's dominated everything. I know, it's always been there, casting its shadow but in this build up, it's like I've been buried under snow, unable to breathe, it's been so there, in my face, crowding my mind, image after image, word after word, just there, not leaving me be!
By Rachel Deemingabout a year ago in Fiction
Comments (21)
This story is truly captivating. It makes me think about how every aspect of our living spaces can contribute to a better quality of life. Just like a well-told story has different elements that come together harmoniously, a home needs the right components too. For example, the doors we choose play a crucial role. Have you considered WPC doors? You can find amazing WPC doors at https://www.zonledoors.com/wpc.html. These doors are not only stylish and durable but also offer great functionality. They can enhance the overall look and feel of your home while providing excellent insulation and security. It's like adding a perfect chapter to the story of your home.
Intriguing, mysterious, and very engaging. I hope you'll continue this one. Congratulations on the Top Story, too!
Wow, this story really builds tension! The sudden discovery of the pink shape under the ice left me feeling as uneasy as Anders. The idea of something unknown beneath the surface makes me wonder what the thaw will reveal. A really intriguing and mysterious read!
A well-wrought and well-deserved top story!
Congratulations on your Top Story, Rachel! Richly deserved!
Very relieved that the puppy survived too.
My imagination is running wild. If I were Anders, I would be thinking about moving on. Well done and congratulations on top story.
I really appreciate this story. Well done!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Congratulations on Top Story
This was so good and intriguing! You might have to do another whole year of micros to finish all these storylines you’ve got me hooked on!
Great, chilling twist!! Love the feel of this whole story, brilliant as is to be expected from Rachel Deeming :)
No. You can't do this to me. Please, you gotta tell me what's that pink thing 😭😭😭😭😭
Gosh, I thought the dog was going to fall through the ice but this was way more terrifying. Gulp. I'd have been back in the cabin faster than Usain Bolt. Thought this was great Rachel.
Andy, monster, alien?? Nice fright build with something that started out so innocently
You’ve created a potential major league scare in this one, Rachel, and we don’t even know what we’re dealing with! Atmospheric, I can feel the cold and see the excitement of dog and feel the fear that drives the fisherman off the ice. Really well done!
Pink terror? How'd you manage to put those two words together in the mind?
Intriguingly mysterious. Nicely done.
You did a great job, Rachel. The detail is precise and your story telling builds to a point of anticipation. I have noticed that since this is almost a full year that you have been writing a story a day, your writing style has evolved. You seem to have mastered writing detailed plots within the short 366 word limit. Great work!
That is quite a fascinating piece Rachel!✨🌿 I felt totally immersed in the story, still wondering what that pink something under the ice was🤔
Oopsy! What happened to Asta?