Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, summer rerun edition. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. Mine has been especially hot with temperatures in the triple digits, so this Ice Cave sounds pretty nice right about now.
This story was first published in November 2012, although I have made a few changes to the opening sentence here.
Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting and for this week’s photo prompt.
(100 words)
Ice Cave
Danny felt the chill on his fingertips as he drew figure eights on the frosty glass.
“Oh, don’t touch the crystals,” Henry blurted. “If you do, they will start multiplying and cover our entire house. We’ll be in an ice cave, turn into ice sculptures, and be frozen until the end of time.”
Danny withdrew his hand from the window and stared at his older brother, wide-eyed.
“Just drink your cocoa,” Henry stated.
Danny positioned his hands around his mug. “What if I could melt the crystals with my warm hand?”
“Don’t even try. They always come back,” Henry whispered.
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AmyReeseWrites 
Really interesting take on ice crystals, Amy. This felt very sci-fi to me and I wanted to learn more.
Sorry to hear about that dreadfully hot weather… heard it’s been scorching hot in Arizona as well. I still will take the heat any day over the cold Ohio winters! Hope you have a great holiday weekend. xo
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Sorry for the long delay in my response to you, Kelly. I can’t seem to get into the full swing of things here, lately. Must be that heat! It’s a bit cooler this weekend, thankfully.
Older brother can say anything and the younger one will believe. I think I write about boys because I have two of my own. Glad you liked it.
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Feel the same way! Definitely attribute it to summertime! Too much going on! xo
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My older sister would always scare me with crap like that. I always fell for it. I still can’t wash a spider down the drain for fear of a million coming out to replace it.
You captured that sibling interaction brilliantly.
Tracey
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Oh no! That was a terrible thing for your sister to say about spiders. I would have nightmares about that. I think older siblings say these things to see what they can get away with. I should I know because I did it! I feel just terrible about now. My thing was telling my sister that her doll didn’t love her anymore. Tracey, there were tears! Thanks so much.
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I’m just saying, “Don’t even think about washing a spider down the drain!” My sister feels bad about torturing me too. But I can still work the guilt card on her so we little sisters always get our revenge. bahaha
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Ooh, I won’t be washing any spiders down the drain from now on! The guilt card holds a lot of power.
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Ha! I love the older brother winding up the little one. He’ll remember that too! Poor thing
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Little brothers (or sisters) don’t forget! Thanks, Laurie.
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I see the older brother is doing what older brothers do best – wind up their younger siblings 🙂 Fun!
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The poor, little brother. Oh, the things I did to my little sister. I guess it’s just something that naturally occurs. Thanks, Ali!
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The things older brothers say. The things younger brothers believe… 😉
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Especially when they look up to older brother. They’ll believe a lot of things. Thanks, Trent.
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I think Henry is a tad creepy!
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Could be, Louise! He’s definitely not nice.
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These crystals sound like they are related to “ice-nine” from Kurt Vonnegut’s novel.
Maybe that’s where the older brother got the idea 😉
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I haven’t read that one, Jan. Now I want to read it. Thank you.
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I agree with Louise. Henry is a bit on the creepy side. But then I thought my older sisters were, too, when we were growing up. Love your take on the prompt.
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Creepy doesn’t cover it, right? I know, Alicia. I was an older sibling. The things I told my little sister and she believed it all! Thanks.
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Somehow the cruelty of an elder sibling never cease to surprise you.
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This is so true, Bjorn. No matter what you say or do, it’s seems to be one of those constants. Hopefully, they have their softer moments.
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Nice, Amy. Chilling, but in the good way! 😀
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Thank you, Tom! I hope you feel cooled off.
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Most definitely!
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I like Henry. We could work together.
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A ha, Russell! I knew you’d like Henry. Thanks.
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Dear Amy,
Older siblings have a knack for torturing the younger ones, don’t they. This sounds so much like my older brother. Well done. I could hear these two.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wasn’t always the most loving older sister. It seems you never know what comes over you. I’m sorry you had to endure that with your older brother. I feel like I should apologize to you too, Rochelle!
I’m thrilled you hear these two. That means a lot. Thank you.
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Henry has a wonderful imagination. I hope it doesn’t leave his younger brother scarred for life! I remember my brother telling me there was a horse lying on the couch downstairs. I wouldn’t come down for hours, and still in my mind’s eye I can see this horse lounging there, lifting its head to watch me skirting round the back of the couch into the safety of the kitchen. Well done, Amy. I could identify with this.
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Oh my goodness, Sandra! A horse lying on the couch. That could really do a number on you, I’m sure. Love that. That’s a wild one! Thanks so much for sharing it. Glad you enjoyed this
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Well, I hope the profusion of ice that Henry talks about is true. I can use it for drinks during the hot summer.
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Wouldn’t that be nice to have a constant flow of ice chips. It would come in handy right about now, Perry!
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This has a very chilling theme, Amy. I hope you’re keeping your cool in that long hot summer you’re having 😀
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Thanks, Dianne. It’s better today. Not has hot!
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I am the older sister so I am smiling at the memories of the fun I used to have. Cute story Amy. I really liked this one.
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I’m an older sister, too. I had too much fun. Thank you, Dawn. Glad you liked it!
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Great voice. I love these two characters – mischievous and mean as the older one is. So true to life. And I’m hanging out for some summer down under in Australia. Midwinter here and I’m not loving it.
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Thanks so much, Margaret. The older one is a bit of a bully, isn’t he? Poor little brother. I’m sorry about the weather there. I hope you get some sunshine soon.
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Great story, Amy! The dialogue was nicely balanced by beautiful descriptions. That older brother is a bit of a meanie, though, isn’t he? He has no idea what trauma he might possibly be causing to his younger brother.
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The poor kid will probably be traumatized for life! Thanks so much for the thoughtful comments. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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It sounds like you understand boys, Amy. My daughter was rather naive in some ways. I think, though, that she knew better than to believe everything my son told her. She wasn’t that much younger. I remember her say saying, “Yeah, right”. My son would then have to smile or laugh. Good story and well written. 😀 — Suzanne
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I have two boys of my own, Suzanne, and I grew up with brothers, so I do feel like I know them pretty well. The younger siblings believe for a little while and then the real arguments begin when they see what’s really going on. Oh, siblings. What joy! Thanks so much, Suzanne.
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Reminds me of my older brother telling me bs knowing I wouldnt be able to verify the facts, good story.
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This is great. I like Henry for his imagination. What a way to scare a sibling, or friend. And I think it’s a nice scare, the type kids can dare each other about.
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Oh very cool! Ha ha 😀
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Thanks. Big brother wasn’t very nice. 🙂
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