Angie Thompson's Blog - Posts Tagged "flash-fiction"
Flash Fiction - Traitor
Hey, guys! I recently ran across a flash fiction contest with a prompt that really grabbed my attention. I haven't written a lot of super-short pieces, but I was inspired for this one, so I gave it a shot, and I thought I'd share it with you here. :D
Give it a read, and let me know what you think!
~Traitor~
They say we were born for a purpose. That our role is to serve the king in any way he requires. Maybe it is.
But I can't believe everything they say.
They say we could never live on the outside. That the walls exist for our protection. That we would die without their care.
But only Elispeth could have known the symbol scratched beneath the single word "safe."
They say without the king our city would collapse into ruin. That he cares for us like a father. That it is our duty to preserve him.
But when the nest in the tree beyond the east gate was threatened, I saw the father bird risk his own life for his young.
They say we were born in test tubes. That we have no right to feelings. That our only value is in our service.
But they never looked deep into little Jemmy's eyes.
They say he alone has the power to save the king. That it might be a full generation before they breed another with the perfect blood type. That without him, the king will die in a year.
But why is a child's life of less value than a king's?
They don't try to pretend that Jemmy would live through the procedure. They know he is too small. Instead, they talk about duty and prosperity and our purpose and our place.
But all I can feel is Jemmy's trusting little hand in mine.
They say life is trouble and pain. That Jemmy would be better not knowing it. That his would be an easy and merciful end.
But I believe the stories of a God who made life and says it should not be destroyed.
They say they've improved security. That our quarters are sealed tight. That no one will ever make another escape.
But Jemmy and Elispeth are already over the wall.
They say Jemmy is a state asset. That I am to blame for his escape. That if he is not returned, I will die with the king.
But Elispeth knows that I chose this path.
They say I'm a traitor. Maybe I am.
Maybe I don't care.
Give it a read, and let me know what you think!
~Traitor~
They say we were born for a purpose. That our role is to serve the king in any way he requires. Maybe it is.
But I can't believe everything they say.
They say we could never live on the outside. That the walls exist for our protection. That we would die without their care.
But only Elispeth could have known the symbol scratched beneath the single word "safe."
They say without the king our city would collapse into ruin. That he cares for us like a father. That it is our duty to preserve him.
But when the nest in the tree beyond the east gate was threatened, I saw the father bird risk his own life for his young.
They say we were born in test tubes. That we have no right to feelings. That our only value is in our service.
But they never looked deep into little Jemmy's eyes.
They say he alone has the power to save the king. That it might be a full generation before they breed another with the perfect blood type. That without him, the king will die in a year.
But why is a child's life of less value than a king's?
They don't try to pretend that Jemmy would live through the procedure. They know he is too small. Instead, they talk about duty and prosperity and our purpose and our place.
But all I can feel is Jemmy's trusting little hand in mine.
They say life is trouble and pain. That Jemmy would be better not knowing it. That his would be an easy and merciful end.
But I believe the stories of a God who made life and says it should not be destroyed.
They say they've improved security. That our quarters are sealed tight. That no one will ever make another escape.
But Jemmy and Elispeth are already over the wall.
They say Jemmy is a state asset. That I am to blame for his escape. That if he is not returned, I will die with the king.
But Elispeth knows that I chose this path.
They say I'm a traitor. Maybe I am.
Maybe I don't care.
The Single Line Story Challenge
Well, it's been a while, but then again, I'm not actually a blogger, so whatever ends up here is extra, right? :D
The lovely Katja tagged me for this challenge, so I decided I'd try it--and then ended up writing most of them in a burst of inspiration over my lunch break. So here goes...I hope you enjoy!
Rules:
- Thank the person who nominated you/mention whose blog you found this on // Thank you, Katja!
- Include the rules and badge in your post. Check!
- Write 5 single line stories that fall under any of these genres (you can pick which ones you do!):
~ fantasy
~ romance
~ thriller
~ mystery
~ western
~ contemporary
~ historical
~ drama
~ dystopian
~ adventure
~ sci-fi
~ paranormal
~ young adult
- You can choose 5 genres that’s easiest for you, or you can challenge yourself to try something new!
- Nominate 5 blogger/writers who you’d love to see participate and leave an open nomination for all writers! Since I don't actually blog, I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you want to try it, feel free! ;)
- You can do this challenge more than once.
Okay, here goes...
Romance
A lifetime of grief, pain, and fear squeezed from his eye in a single tear as she cupped his scarred face in her hands and softly murmured, "I love you."
Mystery
"Obviously," Elaine stated flatly as she eyed the diamond necklace spilling from the bear's torn heart, "it means you're not at all the man I thought you were."
Western
"I done it, Pa," Trace whispered, leaning against the fence to watch the children playing on the lawn, the gold of the sun tinting their hair the color of ripe wheat as it sank behind the hills.
Dystopian
The boy's scowl offered no encouragement, but his protective stance as he shoved me behind him gave me the first glimmer I'd had in weeks of something just vaguely like hope.
Sci-Fi
"Not yet, we're not," Cy breathed, ignoring the alarms blaring on all sides and keeping his hands steady on the controls as the enemy ship edged closer.
Want to do it yourself? Did you have a favorite? Let me know!
The lovely Katja tagged me for this challenge, so I decided I'd try it--and then ended up writing most of them in a burst of inspiration over my lunch break. So here goes...I hope you enjoy!
Rules:
- Thank the person who nominated you/mention whose blog you found this on // Thank you, Katja!
- Include the rules and badge in your post. Check!
- Write 5 single line stories that fall under any of these genres (you can pick which ones you do!):
~ fantasy
~ romance
~ thriller
~ mystery
~ western
~ contemporary
~ historical
~ drama
~ dystopian
~ adventure
~ sci-fi
~ paranormal
~ young adult
- You can choose 5 genres that’s easiest for you, or you can challenge yourself to try something new!
- Nominate 5 blogger/writers who you’d love to see participate and leave an open nomination for all writers! Since I don't actually blog, I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you want to try it, feel free! ;)
- You can do this challenge more than once.
Okay, here goes...
Romance
A lifetime of grief, pain, and fear squeezed from his eye in a single tear as she cupped his scarred face in her hands and softly murmured, "I love you."
Mystery
"Obviously," Elaine stated flatly as she eyed the diamond necklace spilling from the bear's torn heart, "it means you're not at all the man I thought you were."
Western
"I done it, Pa," Trace whispered, leaning against the fence to watch the children playing on the lawn, the gold of the sun tinting their hair the color of ripe wheat as it sank behind the hills.
Dystopian
The boy's scowl offered no encouragement, but his protective stance as he shoved me behind him gave me the first glimmer I'd had in weeks of something just vaguely like hope.
Sci-Fi
"Not yet, we're not," Cy breathed, ignoring the alarms blaring on all sides and keeping his hands steady on the controls as the enemy ship edged closer.
Want to do it yourself? Did you have a favorite? Let me know!
