1st Campagin Challenge : 2 Hot 2 Handle

 Rachael Harrie has put together the first challenge for Writers Campaign! The rules are as follows:

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “Shadows crept across the wall”. These five words will be included in the word count. 

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), do one or more of these:

• end the story with the words: "everything faded." (also included in the word count)

• include the word "orange" in the story

• write in the same genre you normally write

• make your story 200 words exactly!

And here is my entry --

Shadows Crept across the wall, the signal of the sun rising through the blinds. Shay already had her bag packed and her hiking boots on. It was going to be a good day.

Not that Shay liked to hike, she had never really done much hiking before, but she did get to go with Lance. Plus it didn't hurt that she got to hit up Eddie Bauer for the first time her life the day before. Because, where else can you find authentic hiking gear in the mall?

The doorbell rang and Shay scrambled down the stairs, poofing her hair as she went. She opened the door and leaned on the frame, biting her lower lip. "Hi Lance."

"Are you wearing shorts?" Lance said pointing at the carefully picked cargos that highlighted Shay's long legs.

"Well, yeah."

"It's like twenty degrees out here, and it's going to get colder towards the top."

Shay looked out over the snowy landscape and orange horizon.  "I'll be fine!"

Even though she said the words she didn't believe them. Her hands shook as she took her first step outside. Those one-hundred dollar hiking boots didn't hold up. She slid on the ice and everything faded.

***

P. S. Last Weeks giveaway winners are - Jenny Morris with a copy of Everneath, David Powers King with a copy of Pride and Popularity, and Larissa Hardesty with the $10 gift card. Congrats to the winners!

P.P.S I'm doing another giveaway tomorrow, so be here or be square.