The Chill Factor: Writers’ Forum Flash Comp Winner

The Chill Factor

“Do you think we should call the police yet, Sarah?”

“Isn’t it a bit soon? She’s only been missing six hours. Don’t they generally ask you to wait 24 hours?”

“24 hours? Even in weather like this?”

“All the more reason to wait, Jason. Her car could have broken down. Maybe the roads became impassable; it’s snowing quite hard now. Tell me again, what made you think she was coming here?”

“I already told you, she said you’d planned a girlie night.”

“And I told you there was no girlie night… your wife must have been lying for some reason, maybe having an affair. That’s what the police will think.”

“Yeah. I see what you mean.”

“We need to keep calm, be rational.”

“How long does it take to die from hypothermia?”

“Just don’t go there, Jason.”

“No, tell me, you’re the nurse here.”

“OK… hypothermia starts when body temperature drops to around 35 degrees.

“How aware would you be?”

“Difficult to say, depends on your body mass and other stuff. From that point the cerebral metabolic rate would usually diminish by 3 to 5 percent for every one degree drop in core body temperature.”

“And then?”

“Look…”

“Tell me.”

“You’re going to pieces. Oh very well. Around 32 degrees you’d fall into stupor.”

“And then?”

“This is not helping, Jason. You’re torturing yourself.”

“I need to know.”

“Around 31 degrees the body gives up the attempt to warm itself, shivering ceases, blood thickens, oxygen consumption decreases. Look, this is ridiculous. I’m making a drink. Want one?”

“Whiskey and soda, please.”

“Just a small one then, you need to keep a clear head.”

“We both do.”

“I know. Here you are… now take it easy.”

“Thanks.”

“So, one more time then Jason. Let’s see if we’ve got it right. What made you think she was coming here?”

“She said you were having a girlie night.”

“Did you have any reason to suppose she was lying?”

“None whatsoever. We’re happily married for chrissakes.”

“That was good Jason. Very good.”

“What’s the time?”

“Should be almost over by now. I imagine she’s ripped all her clothes off and…”

“What did you call that again?”

“Paradoxical undressing. That should keep the police guessing for a while, you know what they’re like. Cheers Jason.”

“Here’s to us Sarah.”

Writers’ Forum is one of two writing magazines to which I’ve subscribed for several years.  From time to time I stir myself to enter the odd competition, but not often.  These past few weeks I’ve decided to inject a bit of discipline into my writing activities and have submitted several entries for different formats and themes.  This comp was to tell a story in 400 words, using only dialogue.   What a terrific birthday surprise when I opened Issue #159  first thing this morning and found I’d won.  Such an encouraging start … 🙂