Dana Vaca Wins Flash Fiction Challenge

Dana Vaca 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:

st felicien flash fiction prompt copyright KS Brooks
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

Stink Eye
by Dana Vaca

In the half-light of morning, I peeked out from beneath the canopy of rambling vines that had been my sheltered refuge through the damp night. Beside my shallow vale, a doe browsed tender grass still webbed with evening dew. She raised her tawny head above the veil of low morning mist, and her little spotted fawn bounded to the safety of her side. She nudged the baby with her muzzle then turned to face me, her black nose glistening wet and twitching. Her nostrils flared, smelling my scent; she was unsure. Her large ears, finely edged with black – listening and alert. Her elegant eyes, pools of liquid obsidian, watching and sparkling brightly in the thin, pale light of the new day. An elegant golden goddess of the woods, her innate urge to flee battled with her instinct to protect and stand her ground. But the nurture in her heart won out and put braveness in her stance.

The conflict resolved. She stood more erect, bolder, her body shielding the frightened little one pressed close to her flank. Gallantly, she stepped once, toward me. Her daring announced her choice to defend. Valiant, defiant, willing to risk herself for her beloved. Soaring high above, a hawk screamed. I glanced up just for an instant, then looked again to the doe and fawn, but they had vanished like spirits into the gray dawn.

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3 thoughts on “Dana Vaca Wins Flash Fiction Challenge”

  1. The sensory details captured me. I was in the moment. The conclusion: one fleeting glance away and the doe and fawn were gone, was exactly the way to end this very satisfying piece. A prose poem.

  2. Congratulations, Dana! Beautiful story. I agree with what Marty and Stephen wrote, too! Well said.

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