2025 SIDERIUS MEMORIAL CLASSIC (90-100 WORD) WINNER
REVENGE
She leaves under the darkness of a new moon, her shawl pulled tight against her bony frame as she stumbles up the stony road. At the old oak tree, she turns. Spots of amber glow in the black valley where the village nestles. She curses the heaviness in her lungs, and coughs, tasting again the murkiness of the pond.
Three times they’d dunked her; three times they’d hauled her back, spluttering and choking. She’d survived their accusations, but this community is dead to her. She can hear them now, wailing and hammering on their doors as the flames take hold.
Three times they’d dunked her; three times they’d hauled her back, spluttering and choking. She’d survived their accusations, but this community is dead to her. She can hear them now, wailing and hammering on their doors as the flames take hold.
