Ice

The water stung it was so cold. It felt like drops of fire on his skin. It was electrifying. It let him know he was alive.


Stepping fully into the shower, the cold water ran down his skin in rivulets. Gently washing away all the sweat and filth he had accumulated. He never really understood how he got so dirty when he tried to stay so clean, but the fact always remained. 


Bracing himself, even though his skin was already going numb, he pushed his head into the shower's spray. He experienced an intense shiver as his body's core temperature drop, but only momentarily, and then it started to cool down. 

The water felt good after the hot, humid day he had been through. He could feel the dirt wash out of his hair. He lathered with shampoo and seemed to feel each hair come clean as the water rinsed away the day. 


His shivering had subsided, his skin was white and pale. He knew that this was an effect of the water, he was normally a healthy tan. But with the lighting and the cold water, he seemed to be different. His skin reminded him of her, of how she had looked laying there cold, unresponsive. He could never forget that image, it was imprinted into his brain.


After washing off all the dirt, and cleaning his hands thoroughly, he ran his hands through his hair, he could feel the locks slide easily between his fingers. His hair was long, it was time to get it cut. Or maybe not. He wondered if he could grow it out again. 


His eyes came back into focus on his blue fingertips. It was time to get out before he did himself damage. Shutting off the water, he stepped from the shower into the humid air, immediately sweating again. All the benefits of ice, gone.