First Campaigner Challenge - 200 Word Flash
Originally published at K.T. Hanna - The Scribble Muse. You can comment here or there.
So - I’m a little late to the first Campaigner Challenge - I’m entry #348. Please vote if you like it! I’m still making my way through all of the other entries. Don’t forget to go read all the wonderful entries!
Here are the guidelines.
Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.
If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: “the door swung shut.” (also included in the word count)
For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!
This whole campaign and this challenge has been a lot of fun. Really looking forward to the rest of the campaign. Oh, and I managed exactly 200 words! I warn everyone - everything I write is dark
And here is my piece:
DISSOLVE
The door swings open on well-oiled hinges. Shara steps over the threshold, eyes on the prisoner slumped over the bench struggling against his restraints.
He glares up at her, his words muffled by duct-tape until she yanks it off “Witch.” he spits on the floor, just missing her feet.
She bends down and tilts his chin, nicking skin with barbs on the whip in her hand. “Call me what you want, Jay. I have devices here that’ll make anyone talk.”
“You underestimate my hatred for you.” His bitter laugh echoes through the old dungeon.
She leans close and whispers in his ear. “Where was this hatred last night?”
He turns his head away as blood drips from the cut and avoids looking at the wrack in the corner. He forces the words out through clenched teeth. “I’ll die before I talk.”
“I hope not,” Shara bites her lip as she draws her arm back. “Just give me the damn codes…” she pleads softly as she brings the cat-of-nine-tails down on his back with sickening force. “Let me spare you.”
Skin tears with every stroke and Jay’s grunts dissolve in pain.
His screams are cut off as the door swings shut.