Today we’re pleased to announce the winner of the 20th 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 Donna B. McNicol.
Congratulations to Donna, and thanks to everyone who participated – excellent entries! Now, without further ado, here’s the winning entry:
First Impressions
by Donna McNicol
“Hi Lizbeth, I’m Paul. Hang tight, it may get a bit bumpy but we should make good time.”
Wonderful, could it get any worse? My head hurt, my leg hurt and I was cold. What was a few bumps?
The pounding in my head grew louder. Soon I realized the sound wasn’t in my head, it was coming from behind us. I sensed Paul struggling to travel faster as he took a sudden turn to the right. He slipped expertly between the snow covered trees and rocks on the un-groomed trail, not slowing at all. All thoughts of the pain in my head and leg were gone as I realized we were trying to outrun an avalanche. Was my first ski trip going to end in a funeral?
The roaring receded a bit as we continued down the other side of the mountain. I realized Paul’s expertise was saving our lives, but what about my friends and everyone at the lodge? Had they survived? Soon I could see the ski lodge from the edge of my vision. Everything looked fine and no one seemed concerned.
Sitting in the lodge with my friends later that night, I announced that even though I broke my leg, was almost killed by an avalanche, and never planned to ski again, I was glad they had convinced me to come along. Amazed they asked why. “Simple, if I hadn’t come I would never have met Paul. We have a date tomorrow!”
Love it.
Thanks…it was a quick write. I never like those when I re-read them later. LOL!
Congratulations, good job, flash fiction in a flash!
Congratulations Donna!
Congratulations! A good read.