Tessa Emily Hall–author of Purple Moon– hosts a weekly writing competition on her blog, and today I came in second!
Below is my entry:
Finley
I just stand there, looking at her. Finley’s wispy brown hair blows across her face, twisting in the cold breeze. Solemn green eyes peek between the strands. She sniffs and swipes at the grime on her cheek with the back of her hand. Somehow she’s even more beautiful dirt-streaked–if that’s even possible. Something else shines through her exhaustion– in her wide, solid stance, in the anger hardening her eyes, in the whitened knuckles of her clenched fists. She’s not defeated–no. She’s fighting inside, building to the climax, the final battle, the deepest kind of strength bleeding through the outer wounds.
“All right, Adrian?”
She’s caught me staring. Again. I smirk, beyond caring by now. Hoping that maybe she doesn’t mind–maybe hoping for more than that. No, not hoping– aching.
“I guess.” I shrug, lifting one shoulder and letting it drop again.
She sighs and shakes her head. “Of course you’re not. I’m so stupid.”
“No you’re not.” I want to say more than that. Do more than that. Want to run my fingers through that flyaway hair. But I won’t, because I’m afraid I’ll scare her away. If she runs, I’ll die, burn inside. Be reduced to a twisted mess of ashes and smoke, just like our city.
She’s all I have left.
*Proof of stalking*
You’ve got such a voice. I keep reading this over again! Your descriptions are gorgeous and wild and powerful – just like you, actually. Send me more of your stuff; I love it, and it’s so inspirational. (I’m considering picking up my pen again and trying for a short story.)
~Maddie
AWWW thanks Maddie… this means more to me than I can say!! Really needed this tonight. I’m so glad you’re enjoying my writing, and I’d love to do some more fiction-swapping!! And please please do pick up that pen again… I always love reading whatever comes out 🙂 *bear hugs*