Creative Writing Club

Two

Prompt : Write about something ugly — war, fear, hate, or cruelty–but find the beauty (silver lining) in it or something good that comes out of it.

      The sky was clouding over, a storm perhaps? The soldier gazed up at the sky while huddled behind a sand barrier. It seemed as if it might rain, that would cause this to be more difficult. She could hear the explosion of bullets all around. The sounds of metal ripping through flesh. The last breaths of friends. But she had chosen to do this. She and a few other soldiers formed a quick plan to push forward. Try and force the enemy retreat back. It was risky but it was all they had for now. Their side was down many people and they needed to act fast. They put their plan into action. All was progressing well until it suddenly wasn't. She watched the person in front of her take a bullet to the head. All around her bodies dropped like stones. Blood stained her clothes and her mind. She could still hear the screams of men, women, and even children echoing through her brain. It was horrific. When the body had dropped in front of her she turned to retreat but it was too late. A bullet was shot and target eliminated. It hit her spot on and she felt a white hot pain coursing through her. She dropped too.

     Age zero. A baby, born March 2, 1982. One of the happiest moments in a parent's life. It was a truly special day. Innocence at its peak and anything in the world seems possible. Being able to teach and grow and learn. So many happy moments to come; first words, first steps, first birthdays. She would have wonderful upbringing with so much promise. A bright future, with nothing set in stone. Who knows what could happen?

     Age seven. A small child, skipping happily around her parents as they readied themselves. That night, the night she and her family were attending a friend's Easter party. Just a small gathering only a few blocks away. But, the girl was really happy, she loved being out with her parents so this was exciting, especially for a child. The family climbed into their car and drove down the road. Afterward, while they were driving home something truly terrible happened. They'd had a few drinks, the night sky was extra dark and the moon was only a white sliver in the air. The father wasn't paying attention when coming to an intersection way to quickly and the car was crashed into by another, the impact on the left side. One person killed and three injured. The father had been the fatality, while the mother, daughter only suffered some major/minor injuries.

     Age eleven. A pre-teen, excitedly shoving on a backpack. She was scared, but only for a while. She left the blue sedan, a big dent in the car still visible. "Wait!" yelled her mother. The girl turned to see her with outstretched arms. She joined her in a quick hug, before turning and entering the school. She was able to go through half of the first day, and then came lunch. She was leisurely eating outside when a few kids came up to her. They slighted her and called her ghastly names. Just because she was 'different'. She learned that day that she didn't want to be different, that she didn't want to be in a wheelchair anymore.

     Age fifteen. A teenager, finally receiving her first prosthetic. She put it on and tried it out, it was a perfect fit and she was happy. She thought that maybe the kids at school wouldn't pick on her anymore. When she walked into school a week later, she was proved wrong. Things didn't change.But, this time she learned to pay them no mind. She liked how she was and that was all that mattered.

     Age seventeen. A young adult, getting her first kiss. A wonderful experience. One unlike any other. She thought she loved him, and they dated for a while. Until she found him cheating on her a month later. She learned to have wiser choices on who she gave her heart to.

     Age eighteen. An adult in the law's eyes, graduating high school. She was awarded an average diploma, nothing special. But, she decided she wanted to do good in the world. Wanted to improve it.

     Age nineteen. Joining the army, protecting her country. A heroic duty, one that she would enjoy every second of. One that would change her life.

     Age twenty-three. Shot in the kidney. She was young, but she loved how she had lived her life. She wouldn't've had it a different way. Died June 23, 2005.