Chills & Thrills Anthology

Flash-Forward | Winners

The following were the top entries from our Flash Forward contest. Congratulations to all our winners!

The full list of entries can be found here.

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PROMPT

For as long as you can remember, you've been able to see deaths before they happen. This time, however, it's personal. Tomorrow, at noon, the person you love will be in a fatal accident.

In 300 words, write about the moment the accident occurs. What is the accident you've foreseen? Will it actually happen? And what will you do—save the one you love, take their place or let fate play its hand?

It's all up to you.

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WINNING ENTRIES

#1

Anonymousmlpfan

"You look kinda sick, Reid," he says.

I shrug. We are close, like two peas in a pod since we're small. Normally I like hanging out with my twin brother. We always go to the park on Sunday mornings to cool off.

But not when I know he will die.

He lets me be, walking ahead by the trail. He knows I will follow. He's not wrong, especially today. When I close my eyes, I can see it, and my gut drops. I remember his face; a white Impala crashing into him full-speed. The hair on my neck stands when I recall his scream, his body flung like a bloody rag doll.

I hasten behind him, rubbing my face. When he looks back, I clip a smile, but I gulp. My palms feel cold.

It's alright, I tell myself. I'll save him.

"You okay?"

I nod. He smiles, and it's so nice I wonder why he's the target. But I don't set the target. I only see it. Dreamt it. This time, however, I'm stopping it. He hands me a towel, but my fingers shake. My clench is clumsy and tight. And he notices.

"Are you tired?" He turns, slings an arm over my shoulder. "Let's go home."

I let him talk all the way, until we arrive at the road crossing and suddenly I stifle. I can hear my heart pulse. My throat hurts. It's happening. I brisk with his pace, keeping on the lookout. My ribs tighten. I know it's soon. And I'm ready as ever. He leads me on.

One step. Two. Nothing.

We're almost there. Maybe it works. Maybe I did it. I can breathe again.

A screech of tyres swallow my hearing. It's all I can do to push him on, and look at the Impala hurdling right towards me.

"Reid!"

I scream. I don't feel the pain, until my limp body flings from the impact. Then it hurts. Everything hurts. Blood's everywhere. My vision blurs, and as I close my eyes, I realise my mistake. I didn't dream about him.