Congrats to A.V. Carden, 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:
Rainy Days
by A.V. Carden
No one saw Benny holding out rolled umbrellas to the passers-by pretty much the same as when he was alive. It hadn’t bothered him that this was his afterlife, he accepted it.
A fission of electrical energy rippled up his body at the same time he noticed a woman, shoulders hunched against the rain, walking briskly towards him.
Her red coat was a stark contrast against the greyness of the city.
Benny realised it was Sally as another blue serge of energy crackled around him.
The hood of her coat obscured her view of a speeding car as it zipped in and out of the heavy slow moving vehicles. Sally rushed into the road and dodged between the waiting traffic unaware of the cars approach.
“SALLY NO!” Benny screamed and moved to run after her.
He was astounded to reach her in a flash and push her from the path of the car which missed her by inches.
Another flash and he was back on the corner observing Sally who stood on the sidewalk looking shocked, hands on hips and gasping.
Benny turned his eyes skyward, held out his arms and smiled as he shouted, “Thank you. Whatever happened just then……. I’m grateful!”
A tingling sensation filled him and the familiar grey surroundings melted away, replaced by an endless velvet black universe, lit up like a Christmas tree with glowing galaxies and stars that sparkled.
He had earned his place here. His being transmuted into pure joy, Benny was home.
Congratulations AV!