Welcome to the new and improved word sprint writing prompt series – #SwiftFicFriday!
If you missed the rules post, click here. Below is a quick rundown of what you need to know:
– The prompt will stay open for the week. I’m on vacation, so no time limits tonight!
– Include social media links/handles/anything you want to promote (Twitter, FB, etc) & word count in the comment with your submission.
– Submission must be between 150-300 words.
– All stories are property of the authors.
– Winner will be determined via reader votes once I’m back from vacation.
Ready, set, write!
Prompt: Today’s prompt will be more on the vague side. As such, you’ll get a whole week to work on it. I’m on vacation and won’t be back until 9/9, but I didn’t want to leave the challenge in limbo until I got back. So this week will be vague prompt #1, and next will be vague prompt #2.
Incorporate the following word in your story. It can be the theme, used explicitly, or implied:
ser·en·dip·i·ty/ˌserənˈdipədē/noun
Happy writing!
FictionTrials 
Serendipity
He feared that it would rain, but his umbrella was left in his apartment. And now, as he headed home, the storm was torrential and showed no signs of abating.
He ran quickly to the subway, his jacket trying to cover his head as he dodged people trying to maintain of their oversized umbrellas on Lexington Avenue. The entrance to the subway was in sight, but he just missed making the light, being about ten feet away when it turned red for him and green for the cabs heading west. He bounced from foot to foot, already doused.
As he did, he reached into his wallet to get his MetroCard out, and as soon as the light changed he dashed the final yards to the steps and raced down them, almost slipping on the wet surface, to the turnstile. He stood behind a woman who was having trouble getting the machine to read her card. He offered to help. He got it to work and then used his own to get to the steps to the 6 Train.
On the platform he found himself next to the woman he had just helped. Something about her.
“Susan?”
“Eric?”
“I always wondered whatever—”
“So did I. I’m going to 86th.”
So was she. She shielded him with her umbrella as he headed east to his apartment. He thanked her, and they arranged to meet for drinks the next night.
“I know there’s a word for our meeting like this.”
“Yes. There is. Serendipity.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
If ever I didn’t believe in fate, in serendipity, the sight currently gracing the parking lot maybe changed my mind. Compact, lithe, muscular. He moved with unconscious grace, though I caught the rigid lines of tension adding a staccato beat to his normally fluid movements.
The dancer was early tonight, and my heart jumped into a decidedly non-resting pace.
He didn’t see me. No one saw me, because invisibility—no matter what the dirty minded souls of the world might think—was good for plenty of non-pervy uses, like walking unmolested across the campus at midnight.
He didn’t see me, and so he didn’t hide the tears tracks glimmering in the amber light of the tall lamps as he ended a phone call and stuffed the phone into his bag. He sighed, swiping the tears from his face.
I didn’t like intruding on an obviously private moment, even if—especially if—he didn’t know, so I hung back as he crossed the parking lot toward the Fine Arts building.
Hung back as three shadows detached themselves from an SUV parked close to the entrance.
Hung back as a mocking voice hailed the dancer.
“Didn’t mommy ever teach you it’s not safe to walk alone at night, Princess?”
Hung back one last time to gauge the dancer’s reaction.
“What do you want?” He crossed his arms, more irritation than defense. “Didn’t my knee slamming your dick tell you no well enough last time?”
Last time?
Muffled laughter. One of the trio stumbled forward, propelled by the other two.
My body tensed for a fight, fury burning low in my gut over the last time. That sense of serendipity grew in me—because this time he wasn’t alone. This time, he had backup. Whether he knew it or not, he had me.
@caramichaels
300 superhero WIP words
LikeLiked by 1 person
More very nice images and a solid story.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Prompt closed! Thanks for playing!
LikeLike