Congratulations to AL Kaplan, whose entry won this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.
The voter-selected story is recognized with a special feature here today and wins a place in our 2014 Flash Fiction Anthology, which will be published as an e-book when this year’s challenges are completed.
Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Blood and Ice
by AL Kaplan
Blood, ice, the pounding of adrenalin; I can’t imagine life without hockey. It’s been in my soul since Pa gave me my first skates. Now I’m sidelined with a broken ankle courtesy of number twenty-two. We both know hooking my skate wasn’t an accident, but no one else saw it.
The puck darts across the ice, a dark blur. My heart stops for the barest of seconds. Part of me prays the new goalie will stop it. The other wishes he doesn’t. He blocks the shot with ease.
My stomach feels like the pretzel I just ate. Six seasons playing for this team and I was never that good. I know in my heart I’m done. My few endorsements won’t pay the rent for long. I need a new plan, but what?
Bodies slam against the wall and fists start to fly. The refs converge. All eyes are on the fight, except for me and number twenty-two. He smiles and drives strait for my replacement. I hold my breath. At the last second the kid sidesteps and twenty-two smashes into the edge of the goal. He drops, out cold.
I rub my eyes. For a second it looked like the goal rammed him. Must have been the meds I’m on. The new kid looks right at me and winks, as if to say, that one was for you. I guess the kid is alright. It gives me an idea. Twenty-Two Knock Out is a great name for a restaurant.
Many thanks to everyone who voted for my story.
Congratulations, Amy.
Oops – was going to say ‘Congratulations, Al’ until I saw Kathy’s comment. Why did I not look at the gravatar first? -bemused-
Anyway, congratulations, Amy. 🙂
Congratulations! Loved your story. 🙂
I love this story.