First Campaigner Challenge: The Door Swung Open
It is time for the First Campaigner Challenge, part of the Writers’ Platform Building Campaign created by Rachael Harrie. Kudos to her and the Campaign for helping us connect and support each other in the blogosphere.
Here is what this first Challenge is about, as taken from Rachael’s blog: 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!
I accepted the additional challenges mentioned above. I mean, why not? Always good to challenge the ol’ gray matter. So here I humbly submit to you, dear readers, my First Campaigner Challenge:
The door swung open and she walked in, leaving the door open behind her. The breeze that entered with her brushed past my face and out the open window.
“I am so sorry.”
She always said that after the beatings, after the blackened eyes, after she stepped outside to cool off. Then she’d come to me and put her arms around me. But this time, I shoved a knife deep into her belly. I stepped back.
Her rage face was there again as she bent and pulled on the knife. But it was set like it had been thrust into stone. Then her eyes widened and her skin whitened. I wondered if I looked that afraid when she was hurting me.
A deep breath surprised me as it ballooned my lungs and rushed out. Then I felt the stir of the baby and the flutter of his little self as my adrenaline dosed him. She dropped to her knees and fell forward, blood pooling in front of me.
“It’s okay, little one,” I said. “No more worries.”
I picked up my cell phone and dialed 9-1-1. A breeze entered the window, brushed past my face and the door swung shut.