Dirty Little Secret (Solo)

Only when night was darkest did the stars shine bright. Grace stood near the docks, admiring the heavens. It had been a long day of work at the motel, and she felt like she needed some time alone to just relax. The cool night breeze was much more refreshing than sitting on the couch and watching the high-tension dramas that Christal was in to. For Grace, just being outside was better.

She walked around the docks, her new doberman Pirate at her side. The beast was now wearing the collar that Grace had previously been wearing. It was the same collar that her previous dog, Pirate, had worn. It was odd, but Grace felt like she had somehow kept the will of Pirate alive through that collar. Now this new dog had inherited that will. To Grace, whatever dog was wearing that collar was one and the same.

She was messed up in the head, and she knew it. Oh well, at least she wasn't as crazy as Christal.

Her foot landed awkwardly on a rock, and Grace lost her balance. She stumbled forward and fell over the side of the dock. Grace braced herself, wishing in that instant that she could somehow avoid plunging into the deep water.

Thud.

Grace let out a moan. That hurt. She opened her eyes to find that she had landed on a platform of ice, drifting steady atop the waves. Ice? In October? In California? She was certain this had not been here before. So where had this freakish ice raft come from?

The ice was bumping against the concrete ledge. Grace stood up and tried to climb up. She found a bar to grab onto, but was surprised to see it instantly freeze in ice as soon as she grabbed it. She let go at once. What was going on?

Pirate seemed just as confused as she was. The dog had backed away from the shore to a safe distance.

Grace touched the bar again. It didn't feel cold, even though it was covered in ice. She took hold of it and pulled herself back onto the dock. Had she done this?

Grace walked up to a large, empty crate and touched it. Nothing happened. She frowned, but tried again. This time, she gave the crate a mental command. 'Freeze.' The entire crate froze in an instant.

Every once in a while, life gave you a surprise. Normally, Grace hated surprises, but she was fine with this one. She could freeze things with a tough. A sly grin spread over Grace's face. Burning things wasn't the only way for her to feel powerful and in-control.

Walking back to the motel, Grace quoted a poem that she had learned years ago.

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.