<br><br><center>![cold-weather-security-cameras.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbDXey4Sdfx9ogUzcnYatX8CEWYdKBqFtDAYxdwN4u5nF/cold-weather-security-cameras.jpg)</center>

<br><br> It’s been two years now since my older bother Si, an RCMP officer, was gunned down.

I’ve struggled and even survived a mall shooting myself, but it's been gruelling. Most days it's been a case of taking one step forward and two back.

I no longer have night terrors about Si and I'm learning to cope with my fears but lately I'm dealing with other weird things.

<br><br> For example, I have the same dream every night where a girl talks to me, and strangely, I can’t see her or remember anything she says.

It’s not scary—it’s actually romantic, but frustrating at the same time. Sometimes I wake up tasting long, cold kisses and for hours afterwards, my body tingles with excitement.

It all seems part of my feelings of abandonment--at least that's what Martin Wallace, my psychiatrist, thinks, and who am I to object?

<br><br> I have to put the thought of her out of my head though, because tonight, I’m struggling with a new manuscript and Harry, my publisher, is getting antsy.

Frankly, it’s been two years now since I’ve come up with a novel idea, and I suppose he’s got his rights. Okay, that’s a poor pun, but a sign I’m recovering some of my lost wits.

Anyway, I feel secure so I can relax. Jules, my Australian Shepherd dog, is guarding me—he's Si's police-trained canine partner and he's lying with his back against the study door.

<br><br> I glance down at the I-phone display showing four of my security cams.

One panel is showing motion, but then again, it’s snowing. I can hear the wind whistling outside the study window and the camera frames are filled with white streaks arcing like shooting stars.

Then, the driveway alarm sounds.

Now I *am* concerned. I get up and go downstairs to investigate. Out front, the motion lights are on, but there are no footprints in the snow.

<br><br> I could ignore the alarm and say it’s the wind, but doubt would niggle at me the rest of the night.

There’s no alternative but to put on my parka and walk the property with Jules.

Of course, I’m armed with my flashlight, Si's nightstick and a can of Mace. But the only footsteps I find outside are mine.

<br><br> I go back inside and call it a night. This will be another day when nothing dies, except of course for that flicker of hope wavering inside. Maybe tonight it may be finally snuffed out.

But even that thought is too morose for me, so I head off to bed, to dreamland, and to my mysterious girl—protected by sentry alarms and with Jules, my protector, securely guarding the door.

<br><br><center>© 2019, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center>

<br><br><center>[Photo](https://reolink.com/best-cold-weather-ip-security-cameras-systems/ )</center>
<br><br>