Tamara McLanahan 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. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.) Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Olmsted Point
by Tamara McLanahan
The sky was an icy blue and scenting the air, knew the recent changes portended an early snow. From her perch on Olmstead Point she could see into the valley below, the few denizens who made their homes there scurrying about. Most could feel the coming storm too. Shaking herself, she climbed higher, relishing the solitude, the quiet calm most would never undertake at such an altitude. The sharp tang of the nearby copse of pines wafted upwards. Conifers were a favorite; such a delicious smell, the needles a pleasing bed to lie upon.
A sharp crack of thunder echoed and turning, she saw clouds gathering, roiling in the distance. Still, far enough away to take a few more precious moments to enjoy the vista below, the sky above. There were chores to see to, duties to perform soon enough but stretching, moving to the edge of a large boulder, she kept her silent vigil. Home was close, she wouldn’t travel more than a mile or two while young ones needed care.
For 27 years she’d called this land her home, seldom traveling far. Once she’d ventured further past the river but had flown back home quickly enough when confronted with the stench of acrid smoke and a cacophony of noise. Thunder rumbled again and she lifted her great wings, talons flexing as she rose, indulging in one last lazy circle before landing in the aerie, a plump rat a feast for her two hungry eaglets.
Pleasant contrast between duty and daydream, Tamara, makes your story “rock” and “roil”, plus you brought home first prize. Great!
Thank you, John!