Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you took the time today to remind yourself and your loved ones of the value of romance – whether virtually, personally, or with the pages of a beloved book.
Valentine's or not, it's time for this week's Flash! Friday entry! This week's required element is "patience," in a 150-word (+/-10) story based on this photo:
Kept Promises
A soft breeze drifted through the lone window, sending specks of sand dancing over the slopes time had painstakingly built in the abandoned shack. Sunlight streamed in, too, but Deruk used the shifting light only to mark time. All he could see out the window was more sand, anyway.
Countless precious granules had drifted out the open door in the perpendicular wall, out of his reach. At least today’s wind had brought more sand than it had stolen. His legs ached with the waiting, and blood pounded through his head, even after all these years.
He’d strained at first, fighting to reach the shackles around his ankles, but not all immortal fey were strong. So Deruk waited, for the sands to rise, for the shifting solidity to cradle his body and relieve the searing pain in his muscles.
For a chance.
Being upright would be bliss enough, but once his hands could reach the metal… He’d find her.
(158 words)
I knew you were going to twist this. Now, I'm wondering what happens when he finds her. Is it going to be good or bad. Is he wanting to save her or kill her for putting him there. Excellent Aria. This will stick with me for a while.
ReplyDeleteMission accomplished! That's exactly the dichotomy I wanted for the end. Thanks, Sherry :-D
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