The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet. It was late December, and the stars were just starting to glimmer in the frozen black sky above.

"Come, Asher," he called to his black shepherd running swiftly behind him, near invisible in the nighttime cloak.

As soon as his trusted companion drew near, a soft orange glow began to shine on the shoreline.

"At this hour?" the man questioned, assuming the firelight was from locals enjoying an evening campfire, however late it was. How awfully wrong the man found himself to be, as the glow grew into an immense flame, certainly engulfing the beach home that had fallen victim.

Suddenly, a loud croak let out from the ice beneath, a deep crack soaring under the pair like a jet.

"It's go time!" the man called to his best friend, assured that the dog understood. They both ran toward the opposite end of the lake, where the journey began, though this time there was an apparent desire to escape sudden calamity.

An arrival to shore was completely refreshing. The man called for his friend, "Asher, come." Though this time, his friend wasn't immediately in response as per the typical.

"Asher!" was yelled once more.

In the distance, a loud groan. Another, another, louder now.

Softly snoring between the man's legs was a furry being with a soft, black coat. The furnace stirred and kicked on at it's trusted 72 degree setting.

"Ahh, just a winter nightmare," the man said into his pillow, "Time for work."

Taylor Alexis Genella

@xotaylove

Michigan

Monday

xotaylove