Dreamsicle

by Ian Rochford

When Augustus awoke, with a glassy tinkling in his ears, a fine sparkle of frost covered everything in his tiny room. Lying on the bed was a long, elegant crystal - it was his last dream, frozen solid. Shivering, Augustus carried the frigid fantasy to the garden by the orphanage wall, cradling it until the sun rose. The crystal faded and shriveled until Augustus was left holding the body of a large lizard with diamond eyes. Tearfully he buried it in the vegetable patch with the others. When it was warmer, perhaps his dreams could find their own way to the garden.

6S

Ian Rochford, whose full catalog is here, is an Australian screenwriter (ostensibly of comedy) who recently rediscovered the pleasures of writing short stories.