The Great New Min Min Challenge:
In less than 250 words write a story starting “Long Ride Home”.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
Almost Home
The hills look impossibly distant.
The desert is vast and dry, dotted with forlorn cactuses.
Maybe I mean cacti, I never know.
If I ever escape this hell-hole I’ll find out, I promise.
But for now I just keep walking.
It feels like it hasn’t rained in a couple of centuries.
My horse trails behind, reins loose in my hand.
He has the same chance as I have of getting out of here.
Practically none.
But I can’t leave him, can I?
Far to my left I see dust rise.
Maybe the wind?
I turn my head.
To the right, behind me, there appears to be more wind.
I sigh.
They’ll be here soon.
And, after what I’ve done, they’ll be understandably unforgiving.
I’ve a few bullets left, but I know this isn’t a fight I can win.
There’s no cover, nowhere to hide.
And I can’t run.
Far ahead I see another dust cloud.
I cannot imagine they’re coming to rescue me.
The hills look impossibly distant.
* * *
I’ll never have a luckier escape.
That sudden sandstorm reduced visibility to mere feet.
I walked through them unscathed.
Now there’s grass under my feet, the hills look much closer.
They won’t follow me over the ridge, their honour forbids it.
Then three more days and I’ll be home.
Not quite the conquering hero, but job done.
I’ll be forgiven, at least by her.
The wind has dropped again.
I look behind me.
I’m not safe yet.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Doing the hard yards, for sure.
LikeLike
And lots of them, sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In top form, CE. Jenne’s comments nailed it. I kept thinking of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid being relentlessly pursued and repeatedly asking ‘Who are those guys?’ https://youtu.be/-kbTbg00AJU
LikeLike
Thanks, Doug.
Butch is just about my all-time favourite movie, but it has a few more laughs than this piece.
‘The fall will probably kill you!’
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I’m hearing A Horse With No Name … a fitting tune for this brilliant tale.
It seems you have your hands full, my friend. They’re closing in from behind but you’ve gotten this far. Be vigilant, smart and carry on! I’ve got faith in you!
Stunning imagery, C.E. I’d love to see an accompanying video. Perhaps next time. 💫
LikeLike
Maybe if you’re good, Nancy, I’ll post the finale next week.
But a video, are you serious?
If I have to take my shirt off there’s no saying what my female readership might do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit like Odysseus, crossing the broad ocean, to return to Penelope…and all those damned suitors.
He never QUITE returns.
(reading Emily Wison’s new translation of Homer’s Odyssey — 2018. Brain & heart buzzing with the final chapters. Sorry)
LikeLike
Laughing here, Liz.
Rarely has a comment left me so at a loss for words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why not compare this to a cultural classic? We all share that common story of coming home & setting out again…the basis of growth, I think.
LikeLike
This is so brilliant.
LikeLike
Thanks, Kate, your comments always give me a lift, always so positive.
Hugs
LikeLike
🙂 Words have power and transcend… time, space, continents! You’re a talent.
LikeLike
Your words certainly do.
Thank you.
LikeLike
Such a scene of desolation and despair you paint here – it oozes out of the words – painfully framed by the ‘impossibly distant’ hills.
Then the twist, and I breathed again with the return of hope and forgiveness, ‘at least by her.’
But you don’t let me relax yet!
And I don’t even know what he’s done – nor do I need to!
Masterfully done.
LikeLike
Not the most relaxing trip, for sure!
Thanks, Jenne, it was fun trying to build and drop and rebuild the tension, so I’m happy it worked for you.
LikeLike