THE 100-WORD SPRINT: Round 1

Attention all flash fiction lovers!

There's an exciting 100-word challenge over at J.C. Martin's place. The Fighter Writer is hosting the Oracle Olympics, in connection with her new book, ORACLE.

        The rules are  simple:

  1. A prompt is released every Monday.
  2. Write a 100-word (exactly) short story based on the prompt (does not include title or prompt)
  3. For each week, post your completed story on your blog by Friday 10.00PM GMT, and enter the URL for the post in the Linky which will be provided.
  4. Every weekend, all completed entries will be put up to the public vote. Voting ends Sunday 11.59PM GMT.
  5. The top two voted writers of each week will move on to the 100W Finals. (To make up 8 finalists like in the 100m finals, the two highest voted losers from all 3 heats will also make the Finals.)

                            *          *          *          *          *          *

THE PROMPT  

“Smoke from the flames curled and twisted in the breeze…”

Fragmented images flitted along the edge of his memory… black beret… steel grey eyes… acrid smoke… searing flames…

He struggled to remember; but it was futile, a wasted exercise. He was blank, a clean slate, tabula rasa.

"Test results are in."

"And?"

"We've done everything possible."

"Meaning?"

 "It's simply a matter of time…"

"Ha! Time, dear doctor, is a luxury I cannot afford!"

They were coming to get him. That he knew for certain.

In the absence of reliable memory, gut instinct prevailed. But who were they? Who was he? Why were they after him?

The images disintegrated…  slipped away.

14 Comments

  1. Miranda Hardy on August 3, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Very intriguing premise. I love short flash fiction. Great job! 

  2. Tyrean on August 3, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Great flash fiction piece!!!

  3. The Golden Eagle on August 4, 2012 at 1:13 am

    Suspenseful 100 words! I'm left with many questions about who he is and what's about to happen to him; you always convey so much in so few words with your writing. 🙂

  4. Carol Kilgore on August 4, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    Cool! I like your story 🙂

  5. Medeia Sharif on August 4, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    That's a great piece with plenty of suspense in 100 words.

  6. Sherry Ellis on August 4, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    You pack so much in to a small space!  I want to learn more about your character!

  7. Jenna Quentin on August 5, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Wow! Great feeling and word choice!

  8. Julie on August 6, 2012 at 8:21 am

    You always succeed at leaving us dangling on the edge of our seats!  I also want to read more about this mystery man!  Good luck with the contest  Michelle!  

  9. Rachna Chhabria on August 6, 2012 at 9:02 am

    Very intriguing. Who are they  who are coming to get him. I am eager to know more.

  10. michelle on August 6, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO POPPED IN TO READ AND COMMENT ON MY ENTRY!  YOU GUYS R-O-C-K!! 🙂 🙂

  11. Anjali on August 7, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Okay I want to know more!
    You write so well!

  12. Lynda R Young on August 8, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Great flash fiction! It's a great tease. I'm wondering who is coming to get him.

  13. Catherine Noble on August 10, 2012 at 11:53 am

    Love it! You continue to amaze me with how much you pack into so little words. You're my flash fiction hero! 🙂

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