A “Walk the Plank” Adventure!
You know me, I’m a glutton for a Flash Fiction challenge. It doesn’t even have to be a competition with prizes. Just throw down the gauntlet and my writerly glands start to salivate. So, when I saw that the YA Buccaneers team had challenged their readers to write an “adventure-themed” piece of flash fiction, I couldn’t resist. Besides, look at the challenge rules:
- The piece must be on the month’s theme (which this month is “Adventure”)
- It must be 200 words or fewer
- It must begin with the specified prompt words (included in the word count). This month’s words are “I set sail…”
- It must end with a specified set of words. This month’s words are “my adventure continues.”
AND… there are bonus points for hitting 200 words EXACTLY! How can I resist…?
I set sail at 2 a.m. with the smell of blood fresh in my nostrils. To Captain Benn and the crew of The Ominous, the haul was worth it. But I’d had enough. No amount of money is worth the murder of innocent people. I wanted out. But no-one who quits this life moves on to another. Captain Benn sees to that.
I’ve never felt so alone, surrounded by darkness, only the hum of the engine keeping me company. The Ominous is silhouetted against a distant star in my rear view, too far away to notice me—I hope.
I see a flashing yellow light to my left. I punch up the rear view. There are now five black dots near The Ominous, growing larger by the second. I panic. This is my first time flying an escape pod, and I can’t see the hyperdrive button. If there isn’t a hyperdrive, I’m dead.
I punch buttons, some labeled, some not. Screens flash, things pop out, but my eyes are on the monitor. The black dots slowly morph into assault ships. Heading for me. The sweat starts to pour. I thought I’d done with excitement, but it seems my adventure continues…
The challenge is open until the end of the month. Check out the YA Buccaneers blog to join in, and to read other stories!
Wow, Colin! You did an excellent job on this!!! I believe flash fiction is actually how we met a couple years ago, doing the Campaigner’s Challenge – so you know, I was super excited to figure out a way to somehow involve FF with the YA Buccaneers!
So much can be said, in so few words, who knew? Fantastic job on building the suspense – well done!
I hope you’ll join us again in August – I’ve got some great prompts already set to go!
Thanks, Erin! I’ll have to check out the August challenge. These are a lot of fun to do–I’m glad you’re able to incorporate FF as a regular feature on the YA Buccaneers site. I hope many more people participate. Writing FF is such a good way to sharpen your word choice and editing skills.
I have way too much fun reading your flash fiction; thanks for posting!! That first line was great, and I love the little sci-fi details.
I need to try this…every time I see someone’s FF it reminds me to be brave and try it. I’m looking forward to your entry next month! (no pressure, 😉
Thank you Rae! 😀
I have to admit, I was quite pleased with that opening line. And then I wanted to scream. After all, this is a piece of FF–why can’t my novels have such good opening lines??! I have to figure out what’s going on here… 😉
Ooh, that’s great. Such tension! And I’m with Rae – your first line is awesome. 🙂
Thanks for taking the Walk the Plank challenge!
Thanks, Bridgid! This challenge was fun. I look forward to the next one. 🙂
Absolutely fabulous first line! And I thought you kept the tension going really well throughout. Great job here! I can’t wait to read more of your FF…..
Thanks, Heidi! I have more FF under the “Writing” tab, and I plan to participate in next month’s Buccaneer’s challenge. And any other FF challenges that come my way. I’m convinced my writing has improved for writing FF, which is why I encourage all my writer friends to try it.