Platform Building Challenge

Time for the first challenge of the Fourth Platform Builders Campaign Challenge.

This is such a fabulous way to but you in a box and then make you tear off the sides with your own flare. It's a challenge, and I must say, lately my writing takes a strange path when writing short pieces.

These are the guidelines: 

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

• include the word "orange" in the story

• write in the same genre you normally write

• make your story 200 words exactly

and.... our picture to use for inspiration should we so choose. My entry......

Awakened

They told us it would happen but I never believed. I was the skeptic. I said it could be held. I said those men of power would not give in and believe the lies. I believed we as humans were stronger. I was wrong.

Shadows crept across the wall, and we knew the day would soon be lost. Darkness was coming. Endless darkness. This was it. The battle would begin. The unleashing of evil across the world. We stood ready. Our faith, our shield in this troubled time. I laughed thinking about what God called His armor. He was right about what we needed. I never thought I'd see people turn on each other so quickly. Evil in the air was drifting into hearts.

“It's happening! Come outside!” My brother yelled. We ran down to the beach. The last orange sky we would ever see. He turned to me, shaking, and held out Dad's sword. It had hung on the wall above the shadow box where mom had displayed his Dress Blues. He knew I loved it, and today, sliding it from its sheath, recently sharpened, I knew he would be proud.

“Ooh-rah.” I whispered, and everything faded.

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You're welcome to "like" mine for a vote. I'm #81 on the list.