Second Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest



Here's a quick reminder of the rules: 
1. Entries must begin with the two words: Lightning flashed
2. Entries must be 300 words or less and be in prose. I'm not versed enough in poetry verse to judge it properly. 
3. Entries must be posted on your blog between May 21 - 23
4. You must sign up in the linky below to have your entry be counted. 

And here's my entry: 

Lightning flashed illuminating the black, leathery wings of the creature. Asta had never seen anything like it before. The span of its wings were as wide as the length of a fallen tree, dwarfing her small, lithe frame, and shrouding her in shadow. She could feel the hot breath of the monster on her skin, making it burn and blister. She looked up into deep red eyes, glittering like rubies. Rows of teeth, shining dully like steel in the mouth of the beast, sharp as daggers and almost as long. Blood dripped down from the over-sized incisors, a drop landing on one of her canvas shoes. The stain bloomed on the grey material like an unnatural blot of ink. The stench was unbearable; rotting, burnt, rancid meat. She reached out a tentative hand and touched the its snout. It was hot under her fingertips, like coals left in a fire, and as tough as scale armour. Tales of legend swirled in her mind. She knew no such beast still existed, yet the inexplicable truth was there in front of her. A single word hovered on the tip of her tongue that Asta knew, if spoken, would change the shape of the world. Yet she could not stop as the horrifying truth tumbled from her lips. "Dragon," she breathed.

45 comments:

  1. Beautifully written! Great job!

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  2. This was an awesome entry Clare, as predicted :)

    I especially liked the last sentance "Dragon," she breathed. It paints a great picture.

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    1. Ah, I found this comment at last *shakes fist at Blogger*

      Thank you Jay. So glad you liked it.

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  3. Thanks for dropping by. Can't wait to see who you pick as finalists.

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  4. Very nice writing! I love your description. :) Best of luck!

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  5. Very nice scene-setting and excellent description of the dragon. I love the ambiguity -- is she going to be eaten by the dragon, or is she taming it?

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    1. Thank you. Ah, that would be telling. I'm half tempted to expand this into a short story. :)

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  6. It really drew me in, and I so want to know what's going to happen in the world once she acknowledges what it is...

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    1. Thank you. I'd be tempted to continue this as a short story.

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  7. A beautiful description. Vivid and intense. Well done! (Seems we both had dragons on the mind! ;) )

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    1. Great minds! :) Thank you, glad you liked it.

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  8. Beautiful sensory detail. The last line was a great hook for a story that could be expanded into a much bigger piece. Great job :)

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    1. Thank you. It is a very tempting prospect, even if it was just a short story.

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  9. A very glorious description of a dragon, Clare. I felt like I stood there, too.

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  10. Great descriptive prose. Thanks!

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  11. I love your descriptions, especially how the snout felt warm beneath her touch. Dragons are the best, and you described one perfectly in my mind.

    I hope the girls lives. There's hope since she actually touched it, I think.

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    1. I adore dragon mythology, and dragons in literature (and TV/ film/ video games), so this was a joy to write. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.

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  12. One word: Imagery. =) Nicely done.

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  13. I like the way you've captured the moment of discovery here.

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  14. Ah, you gotta love those dragons :)

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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    1. Indeed. They're my favourite mythical creature.

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  15. I like how you make the description a moment of discovery, a story.

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  16. Very descriptive scene. Great entry. :)

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    1. Me too, They're my favourite mythical creature. Glad you liked it. :D

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  18. Fantastic description! I could see and feel the dragon standing before me, and the last line sent tingles down my arms. Great job!

    I'll announce the finalists tomorrow.

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  19. That description wigged me out (I especially thrilled at the "black leathery wings" - that could've been any number of things, but it was creepy not knowing what.) Somehow, knowing it's a dragon freaks me less...though it probably shouldn't, eh? :-)
    Some Dark Romantic

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    1. Thank you, I'm glad you liked it, even if it did creep you out. :D

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  20. Ha! You hooked me from the first sentence. I had to keep reading. I really liked the ending, and it made me start to imagine HOW it might change the world. Fun flash fiction. :-)

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    1. Thank you, pleased to hear you enjoyed it. :D

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  21. exciting implications! nice work!

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  22. It's as if the creature is in front of me. Awesome imagery.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this entry, and comment. I really appreciate it.