Andrew?
Andrew woke to a delightful sight - a veritable winter wonderland just waiting for him. He leapt out of bed and slid into the warm clothes he had left out. They were his favourites. As he slipped on his thick grey socks, he couldn't hide his huge bright smile, pulling on his thermal layers and then his blue jeans, black t-shirt and wooly sweater. Can you hear me?
Really he should eat first...but...he wanted to get outside and hear that first crunch...that glorious first crunch of thick snow...Then he could head back in for some toast. Where are you?
Opening the door, he felt the refreshing blast of ice-cold air against his skin and smiled as he inhaled the fresh clean air into his lungs. Then stretched his left foot out and pressed it down on the soft snow...crunch. His vision blurred a little, and the atmosphere changed, just briefly. Shrugging it off as a shock of the cold.
His body relaxed as he felt the sound vibrate from the sole of his foot to his groin, and then from the base of his spine to his brain. Overcome with euphoric bliss from that first crunch, he followed through and planted his right boot straight into the snow...crunch. His vision blurred again.
As he stood knee-deep in the fresh snow, he, briefly, felt complete.
The bliss didn't last, though, as everything shattered like ice and he was left facing the cold reality and oppressive walls of his hospital room.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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More stories from Paul Stewart and writers in Fiction and other communities.
THE PLACE THAT REMEMBERS
They hadn’t seen each other like this in years—not all together, not without weddings or funerals as an excuse. Mid-twenties, edging into their thirties. Old enough to have jobs and habits. Young enough to still talk about high school like it was a country they once lived in and barely escaped.
By Tifani Power 5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (16)
Wow Paul!! This was amazing!! It had breath taking imagery and sensory elements, I love the twist at the end! So did not see it coming!!
Oh that ending was a shock!
Oh, what a nasty awakening!
"As everything shattered like ice" Oh, damn! I love how you described that it was an illusion with just five words. I applaud this smooth punch- it gutted me in the best way.
Do I take it that he "flu" the coop?
Ah, poor Andrew. Nicely done.
This is a real clash between anticipation, joy and an unfortunate reality. Very well written!
A survival coping process, the manifestation of a happy moment helps us deal with the unpleasant reality of life. Well done.
Habitually dark, Paul! Love your take on this challenge.
Poor Andrew.
Aww, poor Andrew. Great story!
I can imagine lying in a hospital room and manifesting a snowy day from the sterile whiteness very easily! ❤️
Hahahahahahahahahhahahaha I knew it! I knew he wasn't sane when he put forward his left foot first! Only psychopaths put their left foot forward first! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Loved your story!
I was so digging those crunchy sounds Paul, yet then we are back in the hospital room! ☹️ Excellent sensory language throughout. Well done! ☺️👏
❤️ Loved this! ❤️
I felt like I was there walking in the snow!!! Poor Andrew. I hope he turned out alright!!