4th Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign: 1st Campaigner Challenge

I decided to participate in this challenge. Why?  Because sometimes I cannot resist. 😀

 

The challenge: write a short story in any format, in 200 words or less, that begin with the words “Shadows crept across the wall…”. For an added challenge, you could:

• end the story with the words “everything faded.”
• include the word “orange” in the story.
• write in the same genre you normally write
• make your story 200 words exactly!

So here’s what I came up with, and I managed to satisfy all four extra criteria, too! 😀

 Click here for the list of entrants and links to all entries for this Challenge. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite by clicking the “Like” button!

ESCAPE

Shadows crept across the wall as the men moved above. The sun’s angle transformed their shadows into dancing marionettes. 

 “Do you see anything down there?”

“Nothing stirring in the trench.”

I crouched into a corner. Granddad had told us stories about life in the army fox-holes.  Don’t think he meant this kind of trench though. The jolt of adrenalin that shot through my body when I hid in the laundry cart and then wheeled out to the truck had started to wear off. The driver would take me only to the gates, no further.    

 “Well look again.”

I heard their boots crunching on the gravel.  So close.  Too close.

I tried to blend into the dirt as the guards leaned over the precipice. The shadows shape-shifted as their position changed.  I knew my orange jumpsuit would stand out if they looked in the right direction. My hands felt clammy. My tongue tasted of salt. I could smell my fear.  I willed myself invisible.

 “Oh, wait I see him now.”

I guess that was damn Mac again. They stood right above my head. I heard the clicks of the rifle’s trigger as Mac perfected his aim. The shadows evaporated. Everything faded.