Today we’re pleased to announce the winner of the 19th weekly Flash Fiction competition at Indies Unlimited.
The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.
A total of 18 votes were cast in the contest this week. The winner (with 67% of those votes) is Ed Drury.
Congratulations to Ed, and thanks to everyone who participated – excellent entries! Now, without further ado, here’s the winning entry:
Fate 101
by Ed Drury
Janet had just stepped into the crosswalk when she heard the screech of bicycle hand brakes to her left. Stunned, she looked up to see a frightened looking stranger with serious brown eyes staring into her own. He had just started to smile when his expression suddenly changed to one of concern. Janet knew instantly why. The sudden acceleration in her pulse was a tipping point. Her face felt cold and numb. She knew from experience that her complexion had turned dusky. Sudden shocks were not kind to an enlarged, dying heart.
The man took off his helmet and started to dump his bike to the curb when Janet waved him off. “I’ll be okay,” she said unconvincingly. She gave him a brave smile and waved him on. He favored her with a smile as he pushed down on the left pedal and started across the intersection. He didn’t make it. A car blew the red light and impacted him from the side, throwing him from the bike. His head struck the pavement with a sickening sound. Janet’s heart labored against the shock of seeing someone so brutally struck. Still, she managed somehow to get to her phone and press 911.
Just as Janet reached her building her pager went off. Taking out her cell phone she dialed her doctor’s number. “Janet, we need you to come to the hospital right away. Good news, a heart has just become available.”
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Great story. Thanks.
Thanks to everyone who voted. I actually voted for the story that Rich Meyer posted because I thought it was the most original take on the prompt. These flash fiction challenges are great exercises and a good way to start off every week so I hope that more people take advantage of this chance to get a little writing in every week. I really enjoy all your stories. The voting thing is what it is. The main thing is to dive in and write. Big props to Indies Unlimited for all the great things they do for indies!
Congratulations, ED!!
Well played, Ed. Congratulations.
Thanks everyone, for the kind congratulations.
Damn fine story and it deserved to win, hands down.
Gracious of you, dude. It was close. Quality entries again.
Rich and I cancelled each others votes out by voting for each other I think. Totally unplanned. But it goes to show, it's about the writing and not the competition.
Well said, Ed, AND CONGRATULATIONS!