The Masters of Flash (Closed)

Need to Succeed - (LyttleJoe)

He heard the frantic cries and shouts outside the dirty, stifling pit where he worked. It was cramped. He couldn't stand straight and there wasn't enough room to squat comfortably. The old valve, the reason for the trouble, had seized and despite all effort, would not budge. 

"Hurry, it's getting so hot out here!" Pleas filtered down into his mind with annoying insistence.

Not half as hot as this manhole, he growled to himself. 

Gripping the handle again he strained until he heard his bones pop. Did it move? Had he felt some give?"

Please, please hurry!" 

Sweat dripped into his eyes and the mud and rust on his hands stuck to his face as he wiped it away. Shifting uncomfortably, his back scraped the rough stone wall of the pit and his legs aching from their fixed position. 

"Aren't you fixing it?" 

"I'm doing the best I can!" He shouted back angrily and grabbed the valve again. 

There was soft scraping sound and his spirit lifted as he felt the handle yield from the effort then surprisingly, complete surrender and he spun it fully open. The cheer that went up above him brought a weary smile to his face and he bowed his head a moment, relieved, then climbed painfully from the restrictive pit. 

The heat struck like a hammer blow forcing him to his knees and he lay on the hot stones watching the success of his effort unfold before him. 

The swimming pool was filling at last!