Lea Anne Stoughton is the readers’ choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.
The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today.
Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:
River Gods
by Lea Anne Stoughton
“One more turn, baby, and we’re golden,” Mayfield muttered to his boat, The Blue Betty. He bent low over the wheel and nudged it left. She made the turn perfectly, just like she had every other turn.
If Mayfield had looked ahead, he’d have seen the flags marking the finish line. But he didn’t. He was looking at what was happening on the shore; in particular, the giant robotic dinosaur charging its ocular heat rays to blast a couple of teenagers.
“RoboRex,” Mayfield groaned. “Not again.”
He throttled Betty down hard, yanked the wheel. She spun around and slammed sideways into the riverbank. Mayfield didn’t have time to grab his helmet, mounted on Betty’s hull. Sprinting, he unsnapped his coat pocket and pulled out his SpectroBlaster.
“Hey, Robby!” he shouted, skidding to a stop. “What’s the matter, did you miss the breakfast buffet?”
RoboRex turned. Its red eyes brightened in recognition. The massive jaw opened in a grinding metallic roar. The whine of the heat rays cycled up.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he called. “Look where you are.”
RoboRex cocked its head.
“Wrong side of the river,” Mayfield said, aiming his weapon. “Not your turf. Now get out, before things get messy and I have to explain things to the Council.”
With a final frustrated roar, RoboRex turned and stomped away.
Mayfield slumped to the ground.
“Hey man,” one of the teens said. “Who are you?”
Mayfield heard cheering in the distance. “A loser,” he sighed.
Congratulations.