If I concentrate, I can slip between the molecules in the wall. I can absorb the energy of a bullet, make it my own. There are moments caught between heartbeats when I can stretch time. I’m not sure what that makes me – angel? demon? blessed or cursed?
I’ve always done this: slithered out of my own body, wriggled under the skin of lovers. I have survived car crashes, conflagrations; I’ve sought vengeance: spread my fingers in the rapist’s brain; I’ve sought mayhem – guided the arrow that started the battle.
I have watched everything I love grow old and worn. I’ve moved on and started over a thousand times. I’ve passed through ice and flames. I’m not even sure of my own name now, wouldn’t recognise myself in a mirror – except for my eyes. There are galaxies in there, burning in the darkness. I’m lonely.
Kim is hosting the prosery prompt tonight at dVerse. What’s prosery, I hear you cry? A piece of prose, 144 words, incorporating a line from a poem chosen by the host. Tonight the line is from Louis MacNeice – “there are moments caught between heartbeats”
I am really intrigued by your character… she seems like a lady of vengeance.., those fingers in the rapist’s brain. This could be the beginning of a very good story.
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My goodness this is brilliant.
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Sarah- this is truly stunning. I agree with Bjorn- this has so much possibility.
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Wow, this reminds me of a long-time favorite of mine by Octavia Butler, the character Doro from Wild Seed. I love this and also wish for more, more, more!
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An amazing piece, Sarah! I love the idea of slipping between the molecules in a wall and stretching time. But alongside the excitement of dodging death is the loneliness. This must be how a vampire feels, outliving everything. My favourite bit: ’wouldn’t recognise myself in a mirror – except for my eyes. There are galaxies in there, burning in the darkness.’
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Brilliant words.
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Man, I agree with others that this intriguing tale is so rife with mystery and possible plot lines that it only wets the appetite for more; like all good writing. Immortality would be a lonesome
destiny for sure.
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What a fascinating character. I can imagine her (?) floating around the universe. I hope she doesn’t visit the Enterprise or Voyager. 🙂
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if i could ahve one super power that would be it, stretching time, you have written a stunning piece of flash, it is full of wonder and possibility and the end is devastatingly beautiful, it is all in the eyes.
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I think we both stepped a little outside of time with our characters, Gina. Thank you.
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seems so, you managed to manipulate yours i have just frozen blocks of mine..LOL!
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with them fingers in that rapists brain squeeze hard enough to inflict justice. this would make a great story!!
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Wow!!! Sounds like a shape shifter with a lifespan that exceeds everyone elses. Interesting flash!!
Pat
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Not a woman, this feels like the essence of humanity, and the loneliness struck me forcibly. Great piece of writing.
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I’m really captivated by this, so intriguing, a darkness and yet not, a serpent and yet not, ethereal for me.
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This is such a powerful write, Sarah! These words “I’ve sought vengeance: spread my fingers in the rapist’s brain” most especially strike me….and of course, the looking in the mirror and only recognizing the eyes. It’s as if this person has lived through a thousand lives. A really intriguing write.
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