Chilblains

A Story in 100 Words

Image by pen_ash from Pixabay

The cold, the cough, the rattle in his chest –signs as plain to read as writing, if he dared to open the book. He sealed the damper on the empty fireplace, carried the last wool blanket upstairs.

They’d laughed at masks, at folks afraid to draw a breath in crowded rooms. The world ended with whisper of snow, with frost-white hands and blood-red toes. Thawed, a thousand needles plunged into flesh until warmth became a curse.

No need for quiet, but old habits break hard. He lay beside her, clasped her hand, and prayed the cold preserve their love.

This story inspired by a prompt at Phantom Sway. A new photo prompt is posted there every Friday.