Sunday Photo Fiction – December 24th 2017
Hosted at https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/12/24/sunday-photo-fiction-december-24th-2017/
A VERY COLD ACT
By Neel Anil Panicker
“You’ve two hours. Not a minute more, not a minute less. Or else…”
As the voice trailed off Elizabeth felt an icy chill run down her spine. Suddenly, her head turned dizzy. Horrific memories of Hurricane Katrina came sweeping by as her reflection stared back from the blank screen.
A bob of unkept hair fell unimaginably over a face that looked like it had seen the Devil. The eyes, two near invisible black dots, peeped out like petrified rabbits from under hollowed out sockets__shell shocked and half blinking. The body, a trembling edifice of loose limbs and bones clothed in a faded out cotton maxi that had holes one more than the roads in Delhi.
Forcing herself away from the scary vision, Elizabeth moved towards the window.
Straining her neck out, she rubbed her eyes and peered out at the street below.
The narrow lane abutting her corner single room rented house was a skein of white.
The weatherman, for once, was right.
There was no way she could step out for the next two days.
Icicles of sweat dripped from her temples.
She stared at her feet, and at the body that lay beside it.
©neelanilpanciker2017 #fiction #shortstory #200words #sundayphotofiction #crime #murder #ice #weather
neelwritesblog 
This is powerfully written, Neel, although I am unclear as to who sets the initial deadline.
The angst, however, is well portrayed.
PS Did you mean ‘unkempt’?
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I too did not get the deadline part, to be honest. But from there on, it was brilliant. Happy holidays Neel.
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She has to hide/dispose off the body before the ice thaws. That is the deadline.
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I’m guessing she killed the person. You might have wanted to say she stared at her “foot” and the body that lay beside it. Good description of her fear. Happy New Year 2018! 🙂 — Suzanne
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The reflection in the mirror becomes symbolic of the person she has become. Well described!
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Thanks Reena.
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