I woke up with a deep gasp clawing at the air around me. Successive heavy inhales of the cold, damp air caused me to let out wild coughs.
I was disoriented but my back, the base of my skull and forehead all hurt too badly to ignore.
I recoiled from the pain and all my sensations coming back all at once. My hearing followed suit and I recognized the sound of heavy rainfall.

"Where am I?" I thought to myself trying to ignore the pain. "I feel terrible".

The Ice Storm - A Linking Spell Story
By Anon Allsop

This story was originally written six years ago. It was intended to be transformed into comic form but that fell through. I've held onto it for so long that I just decided to release it here. Hope you enjoy.

The Ice Storm

The freezing rain was falling hard, and had been for awhile. It was causing little pellets of ice to bounce off of the exterior of the house. Two college students on their winter break, stood at the window and watched the ice build on the streets, trees and walkways.

Two siblings, children to bakers, form a bet without wages. If no one loses anything more when they lose, what does the winner get?

CHAPTER 7
I had no booze in the house for once, which was fortunate, as it would have left me in no state worth thinking about, and most definitely well away from the level of rationality I needed to find. I slept fitfully, the night lasting forever as I woke up over and over again, my car crash of a soul trying to find ways to put my life back together and failing dismally at the job.

Chapter 8

There was knock on the door and the Chief was there with the team, all in civvies. I gave him the key and pointed out the four doors it opened and Gwen and I went into my bedroom to shower and dress while they changed in my lounge.

“What decision is that?” Shelly asked.

“Well,” Mike started. He didn’t know how his wife would react, but Darryl jumped in with both feet.

“I’d like first dibs on dating your daughter.”

“Oh,” was all Shelly could think of to say.

Tricia modeled her new clothes for her parents and Darryl. Darryl didn't say a lot but was very impressed. He had thought that Tricia was pretty before. Now there was absolutely no doubt of her gender or the beauty that she would have as an adult. He was pleased that he had acted quickly. Not only was she a fox, she was one of the most beautiful inside as well.

Surprise! It isn't Min, but something else. Please enjoy.

Sometimes the cooks. . .er. . .crooks get it right.

Chapter 3.6

I rejoined John in observing Sylvia. Our people were being forced downstairs, and we were helpless to stop it. We watched as they came were herded to the palace, and then the throne room. I gasped as the shimmering air coalesced into a man.

"Here they are, my Lord, " he told Amos, who was sitting, once again on his throne.

Cousins in arms 4(5) The trade