FFfAW: Awakening

Posted on by Louise Bunting

This post is for the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) Challenge, run by Priceless Joy. This week’s photo prompt was provided by Sonya from Only 100 Words. The challenge is that you write a story of 75-175 words inspired by the photo prompt below. I hope you like it.

Photo Prompt: © Sonya
Photo Prompt: © Sonya

Awakening

Heavy eyes blinked open, the world swimming into focus as awareness returned. He lay among gravestones, head pillowed on ivy as he leant against weathered stone. Morning dew dampened exposed skin. Spring chill gnawed.

He couldn’t remember…

His gaze caught on the filigree branches arching overhead. Thoughts scattered, dispersing like the sunlight dancing in delicate patterns across leaf litter. Lethargy willed him to resume his slumber, to sink into the earth. It would be so easy to close his eyes.

A woman’s face flashed through his mind and he jolted upright. She was… was… The thought drifted, leaving merely an impulse that drove him upright. He teetered on bare feet, only the support of a tree holding him vertical.

With each step away from the graves his mind cleared. Memories slotted into place. He remembered his life: the violence and heartbreak. He remembered Amara: her touch calming his troubled soul. He remembered his death: sinking into the darkness.

“Come back to me,” she’d whispered, her voice laced with ancient power. He couldn’t refuse her anything.

Word Count: 175

Some of you may know that most of my character’s names are chosen for their meaning. Amara means ‘eternal’ in Greek. I’m thinking she must have some interesting abilities…

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34 thoughts on “FFfAW: Awakening”

  3. Wow, this is wonderfully written and vivid in its imagery too. When choosing names, I think it is good to try and match the meanings with the character’s personality or abilities.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Francesca. 🙂 I really enjoyed writing this. Usually I have to cut out most of the really descriptive language to keep it within the word count. I got to keep it all in this time! I love having names with meaning, even if the readers don’t know about it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Good and interesting story. Amara is a powerful person and she must have some special abilities…she brings him back to life, she is probably capable of a lot more.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Wish you would do my Blog Propellant Picture Prompts some of this kind of lovely justice….just sayin’! I really liked this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ll take a look at it. 🙂 I like to write three flash fics a week but I do mix and match the prompts I use. It always depends on how I’m inspired. Thanks for visiting.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Really nice! I love the imagery and the descriptions in this story. And the ending is really great, Amara must really love him to use her power to bring him back.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I really like the completeness of the story, like how the reader can understand that love even though you don’t use the word “love.”

        Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s exactly the effect I try to create! I like the reader to feel as if they’re right inside the character’s head. 🙂 I’m very glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂 I think that name meaning fits her character as well. I believe it’s Latin meaning is ‘beloved’, as well. What language is your native one?

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I really enjoyed your captivating story Louise. That would be freaky to wake up in the middle of a grave yard and not remember how you got there. I could feel his confusion. Great imagery of the grave yard too.

    Liked by 1 person

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