Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, 2020

Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez are running this annual writing contest. The rules can be found here:  https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fall-writing-frenzy-contest-2020/. Using a photo prompt, contestants write any kind of story, poem, or mood piece up to 200 words. My entry follows.

Jennifer Raudenbush
Twitter:  @jenraudenbush
Middle Grade opening
Image #1
198 words
PB (rhyming or non-rhyming) or MG critique
 
                                                                                                  The Book
 
            Everly tapped sock-covered toes on her back porch steps, leaves of garnet and gold twirling above her, and breathed in the scent of apples. She wrapped chilly fingers around her mug of hot cocoa, sipped, and sighed contentedly at the perfect reading weather.
            She opened the library book.
            Her belly still warm with chocolate, a sudden chill slunk up her spine. Just the crisp autumn air, she thought, with a shiver. She gathered her wool blanket, tucked it around her shoulders. And peeked at the book.
            It was fine. Everything would be fine.
            The wind swirled, fluttering the book’s pages thwop-thwop-thwop.
            Another gust swept flying debris into her hair. She jerked up, swatting at her head.
            Phew! Only a crusty leaf.
            Everly smiled at her foolishness. Took a deep breath.
            Again, the wind whipped, flipping the pages in a violent cascade. Her toes curled.
            Something was wrong.
            She peered across the yard. Her stomach, heavy as a pumpkin, dropped.
            A churning, twisting cone of destruction, gray as a nightmare, loomed above a bile-green sky. The tornado whisked toward her.
            Everly shuddered.
            Even as she slammed shut The Wizard of Oz, she knew it was too late.
            Not again!