Source...
the billboard read as Fletcher sped by on his motorbike. Five miles away from the town centre, he ignored the ad and kicked in his hemi into gear as the bike's front tire rose up in defiance from the pavement. A first place prize waited as he massaged the handlebars. Nothing on Earth could come between him claiming the coveted trophy.
The blazing sun shone relentlessly on his shoulders as the road shimmered in the midday heat. With his hand to his forehead, he scoured first the road, then the landscape on both sides.
From out of nowhere, a cloud of dust materialized. Fletcher glimpsed the dust cloud hurriedly tighten and twist counterclockwise, then skirt across the road ahead. Instinctively, he reached for his helmet normally resting nearby, but quickly pulled an empty hand back and upward to cover his eyes.
It was at that moment he lost control.
Rocks, leaves, and other objects surrounded the bike and combined to tear off his sunglasses before rushing to attack his face. His arms were useless to stave off the assault. Streaks of blood from wounds disfigured his face and arms.
Reacting swiftly, Fletcher grabbed the handlebars. Too late.
The bike swerved off the road and landed against a wooden row of fencing. He landed a few feet away in a nearby grass field, wounded staring up at the phenomenon overhead. Struggling to stand upright not realizing the severity of his wounds, he wiped his eyes before stumbling back across the field to locate his bike.
How swiftly the sky turned from the light of day to the darkness of night. Stars raced across the sky in a unusual pattern, followed by small unidentifiable crafts that crashed into huge craters. His ears pricked at the distant howling of wolves. Immediately, what felt like wind caught the bike and hurled it upward into mid air as he clung to the handlebars.
Through the dust cloud, he emerged.
At that moment, a thunderous lightning bolt pierced his body. A feeling of wonderment like a summer's day river kayaking excursion came to mind. The rushing waters splashed in his face, escalating his excitement.
Smiling, he released the bars. The closer he'd raced earlier to meet the event deadline in the town centre now felt pointless. As blood dripped down his face, the pull of the wind propelled him upward. The feeling of helplessness overwhelmed his senses. I can't believe the hours of planning every detail in winning over the past six months was futile, he thought as his body fell limp and his eyes closed.
The next instant, Fletcher stood at the edge of the world.
He leaned forward. Peering down, the town centre came into view. Dirt kicked up as racers navigated the track course. Cheers floated up as his heart skipped a beat. That should have been me, he shouted. No response from the crowd.
Immediately, others closed in around Fletcher. He looked up to see their bruised and cut faces and bodies. Some carried helmets, while others wore them. Glazed countenances stared back as he retreated several steps.
"No!" Fletcher shouted. He placed his hands to his head, then screamed. The others merely smiled and held out their hands of acceptance.
"You don't understand. This can't be. I'm only a few miles away from the town centre. Everyone's waiting for me. They came to see me. I have plans to win that first place trophy. It belongs to me. Only me. I deserve it!. Why are you all against me? You all are just jealous of my talent."
The others turned away and headed toward the light to their trophies.
For my theme, I was inspired by and utilized the @daily.prompt's publishing of 3 November 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2545: town centre.
Plans Gone Awry
Source...
Planes que se tuercen
decía el cartel mientras Fletcher pasaba a toda velocidad en su moto. A ocho kilómetros del centro de la ciudad, hizo caso omiso del anuncio y puso en marcha su hemi mientras el neumático delantero de la moto se levantaba desafiante del pavimento. El primer premio le esperaba mientras masajeaba el manillar. Nada en la Tierra podía interponerse entre él y el codiciado trofeo.
El sol abrasador brillaba implacable sobre sus hombros mientras la carretera resplandecía bajo el calor del mediodía. Con la mano en la frente, recorrió primero la carretera y luego el paisaje a ambos lados.
De la nada, una nube de polvo se materializó. Fletcher vio cómo la nube de polvo se tensaba apresuradamente y giraba en sentido contrario a las agujas del reloj, para luego bordear la carretera por delante. Instintivamente, se llevó la mano al casco que normalmente descansaba cerca, pero rápidamente retiró una mano vacía hacia atrás y hacia arriba para cubrirse los ojos.
Fue en ese momento cuando perdió el control.
Rocas, hojas y otros objetos rodearon la moto y se combinaron para arrancarle las gafas de sol antes de lanzarse a atacarle la cara. Sus brazos fueron inútiles para repeler el ataque. La sangre de las heridas le desfiguraba la cara y los brazos.
Reaccionando con rapidez, Fletcher se agarró al manillar. Demasiado tarde.
La moto se desvió de la carretera y aterrizó contra una hilera de vallas de madera. Aterrizó a pocos metros, en un campo de hierba cercano, herido y mirando fijamente al fenómeno que se cernía sobre él. Luchando por mantenerse en pie, sin darse cuenta de la gravedad de sus heridas, se secó los ojos antes de volver dando tumbos por el campo para localizar su moto.
Con qué rapidez el cielo pasó de la luz del día a la oscuridad de la noche. Las estrellas surcaban el cielo en un patrón inusual, seguidas de pequeñas naves inidentificables que se estrellaban en enormes cráteres. Sus oídos se aguzaron ante el aullido lejano de los lobos. Inmediatamente, lo que parecía viento atrapó la moto y la lanzó por los aires mientras él se aferraba al manillar.
A través de la nube de polvo, emergió.
En ese momento, un rayo atronador atravesó su cuerpo. Le vino a la mente una sensación de asombro similar a la de una excursión en kayak por el río en un día de verano. Las correntosas aguas le salpicaron la cara, aumentando su excitación.
Sonriendo, soltó los barrotes. Lo cerca que había corrido antes para cumplir el plazo del evento en el centro de la ciudad le parecía ahora inútil. Mientras la sangre le chorreaba por la cara, la fuerza del viento le impulsaba hacia arriba. La sensación de impotencia abrumaba sus sentidos. No puedo creer que las horas dedicadas a planificar cada detalle para ganar durante los últimos seis meses hayan sido inútiles, pensó mientras su cuerpo caía inerte y sus ojos se cerraban.
Al instante siguiente, Fletcher estaba al borde del mundo.
Se inclinó hacia delante. Al mirar hacia abajo, vio el centro de la ciudad. La suciedad se levantaba a medida que los corredores avanzaban por la pista. Las ovaciones se elevaron mientras su corazón latía a mil por hora. Debería haber sido yo, gritó. La multitud no responde.
Inmediatamente, otros se acercaron a Fletcher. Levantó la vista para ver sus caras y cuerpos magullados y cortados. Algunos llevaban casco, otros no. Los rostros vidriosos le miraban mientras retrocedía varios pasos.
«¡No!» gritó Fletcher. Se llevó las manos a la cabeza y gritó. Los demás se limitaron a sonreír y le tendieron la mano en señal de aceptación.
«No lo entiendes. Esto no puede ser. Estoy a pocos kilómetros del centro de la ciudad. Todos me están esperando. Vinieron a verme. Tengo planes para ganar ese trofeo de primer lugar. Me pertenece. Sólo a mí. ¡Me lo merezco!. ¿Por qué están todos en mi contra? Sólo estáis celosos de mi talento».
Los demás se dieron la vuelta y se dirigieron hacia la luz hacia sus trofeos.
Para mi tema, me inspiré y utilicé la publicación de @daily.prompt de 3 November 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2545: town centre.
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.
Desperately sad! But, beautifully wrought. You carry the momentum of your short tale so well that it mesmerises. Exquisite!
Hello @itsostylish. So good to hear from you. Thanks so much for your visit and lovely compliment for my short story. I appreciate it and am pleased you found it interesting. My theme reminds me not to place much emphasis and treasure material things because they may be taken away in an instant.
Take care and have a good rest of your week.
!LADY
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Hello @theinkwell. What a delight to hear from you advising my story was selected for the day. It's an honor I don't take lightly to be chosen and appreciate the effort of your curator to take time to stop by and view my story.
Thanks so much for the support of the Community. Much appreciated.
If we believe in ourselves and in our life, when we work hard day and night, one day will surely come when we will succeed.
You know @djbravo. What you say is true. Some individuals take for granted their lives and the success they achieve. Nothing is guaranteed and can be taken away when one least expect it.
Thanks so much for stopping by and viewing my story. I appreciate it. Take care.
!LADY
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