Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

On request from Dr Pat Reads to know what happened to poor Griselda, a second installment follows. If you haven’t read the first you’ll find it here. I had intended to leave Griselda wallowing in the bath tub, her insides wracked with pain but now I have a third chapter formulating in my head. Perhaps Charli’s next prompt will allow me to use it.

Griselda’s screams finally penetrated the consciousness of one of those asleep. Movement. Lights. Ambulance called.

The spiders continued to burrow and dance. Griselda lay log-like trying to keep them quiet. An involuntary cry accompanied any movement. Sirens heralded the paramedics’ arrival. They apologised for seeing her in her nakedness.”I don’t care” she said. “Help me!” Business like they approached the problem. Questions, blood pressure, ECG but best, the whistle.  

“Take a big suck”. They instructed. She did and the spiders magically left. Another and she was laughing, making jokes. Euphoric in her pain-free state they transported her, protesting, to hospital.

Charli’s prompt for this week

January 7, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that describes a moment of being. It can be practical, such as what it’s like to be a traveler on a crowded plane or a working parent trying to get breakfast served. It can be reflective, such as what it’s like to experience prejudice or a pilgrimage. It can be silly, scary or surreal.

Respond by January 13, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here.