Esther Chilton

In my writing challenges, I often give you a theme to write about, but this is usually restricted to poetry. My motivation for you this Monday is a theme, but there’s no restriction; it can apply equally to poetry or prose:

Theme: Fear.

Here’s my flash fiction piece on the theme:

The Rider

   He could feel the fear, firm and unyielding, treading a trail through his body. A mist was floating, forcing its way through and claiming everything in its path. His horse snorted, sweat soaking its skin. His heart hammered in his chest. He’d be foolish to go on, blundering blindly through the blanket.

But he had to give the villagers a chance. He heard the roar rise up behind him. He soothed his horse, whispering words of false comfort. There was no chance.

He closed his eyes, a mental map appearing in his mind. He knew the way, his years as a messenger ensuring he’d travelled this terrain many a time. He thought of his family, their faces forming in front of him. He’d see them one last time. He pushed on, knowing he needed the ride of his life for deliverance of one last message – the Vikings were coming.

***