Congratulations to Jon Jefferson, who claims victory as the readers’ choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.
The winning entry is recognized 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.
Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
The Strangest Adoption
by Jon Jefferson
They had stopped talking about raising their own chicks before the incident that allowed them to break free of the farm. Tom was set on survival now and didn’t want to upset the balance. He didn’t think Henrietta would survive being penned up again.
Henrietta took to the fawn like it was a chick of her own. At times she would steady it as he stumbled over the rough terrain. She found it surprising that it was so unsteady on four legs. Still Tom pushed them on.
“Just a bit more, Precious,” Henrietta said to the fawn.
“I can’t believe you named it,” Tom said. “We will never be able to let it go now.”
“Oh pish,” she said. “It’s just a baby. How can you not love it?”
“First off, I wouldn’t have named it,” he stopped. There was a scent in the air, something new but not unfamiliar.
“What did you…” Henrietta started to ask, but Tom cut her off. He flapped a wing at her, pointing off to the side with his other one.
It was too late, the blast from the shot gun hit her full on in the chest. Henrietta dropped before his eyes, dead. A second blast hit him as well. The last thing he saw was the fawn scampering off into the woods.
Congratulations. Great story.
Well done Jon! Poor thing was a bad luck Fawn. 🙂
(Stands up straight) I would like to a moment to thank all the little people that made this possible.
It was a bunch of gnomes (true story)
Huge congrats my friend!