All But One (1st place in my group for Challenge #1 2020 NYC Midnight Microfiction 250 word Challenge (24 hours to write)
The cold earth pulled at my clothes like a dying man not wanting to be left alone. My fingers clawed into the steep edges of the shaft, my bare toes curling around any bump or fused rock for hold. Closer to the top, the surface of the walls was smoother as if taunting me that no one had survived past this point, that fingers had stopped digging, that the earth had won.
My foot slipped and my toe sunk into rising waters.
I clutched the ID cards around my neck and prayed the pieces of plastic would give me strength. Being the skinniest, the team had sent me with their cards in case the water found a way into their last air pocket. Each had placed their card around my neck and kissed my cheek, not because they thought I might save them, but as something to pass onto their families.
The taunting water below now wanted one more life to keep its secrets safe.
I braced my knee and pushed, my back stuck. I screamed, not for help, but in defiance. Slide, brace, slide, brace. Dig in. Drag up. Dig in.
Fresh air teased my nostrils.
Earth slipped through my fingers.
Water kissed my feet.
“Nononononono.”
Water swirled around my legs, a whirlpool dragging me down.
I yanked the cards from around my neck and threw them upwards out of the shaft.
All but one disappeared into the light.
The water stilled, unbroken, my card floating on the surface.
The cold earth pulled at my clothes like a dying man not wanting to be left alone. My fingers clawed into the steep edges of the shaft, my bare toes curling around any bump or fused rock for hold. Closer to the top, the surface of the walls was smoother as if taunting me that no one had survived past this point, that fingers had stopped digging, that the earth had won.
My foot slipped and my toe sunk into rising waters.
I clutched the ID cards around my neck and prayed the pieces of plastic would give me strength. Being the skinniest, the team had sent me with their cards in case the water found a way into their last air pocket. Each had placed their card around my neck and kissed my cheek, not because they thought I might save them, but as something to pass onto their families.
The taunting water below now wanted one more life to keep its secrets safe.
I braced my knee and pushed, my back stuck. I screamed, not for help, but in defiance. Slide, brace, slide, brace. Dig in. Drag up. Dig in.
Fresh air teased my nostrils.
Earth slipped through my fingers.
Water kissed my feet.
“Nononononono.”
Water swirled around my legs, a whirlpool dragging me down.
I yanked the cards from around my neck and threw them upwards out of the shaft.
All but one disappeared into the light.
The water stilled, unbroken, my card floating on the surface.
Another Short Story on the link below. 'X Marks the Spot' - NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge #1 2020. Thriller/Crevasse/Mirror/1000 words/48 hours to write. 1st in my group.
