Flash Fiction Blogfest: Lightning Flashed

Yay! My first bloghop. Hopefully I have played by the rules and done everything right. This bloghop is hosted by Cherie Reich. Thanks Cherie!

Here are the rules:

1. Entries must begin with the two words: Lightning flashed.

2. Entries must be 300 words or less and be in prose. I'm not versed enough in poetry verse to judge it properly.

3. Entries must be posted on your blog between May 21 - 23.

4. You must sign up in the linky to have your entry be counted.

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My entry: The Race

Lightning flashed his winning smile at the townsfolk of Forestville. They were packed against the barriers separating them from the contestants.

This would be a day of epic proportions. A momentous outcome awaited Lightning at the finish line – he would finally prove what he had been pontificating for two years.

The crowds were growing restless. Where was his opponent? What a slowpoke that Tommy was.

The townsfolk needed a distraction. Lightning cleared his throat. He would regale them with the story of when he outran lightning itself, barely escaping a tragic demise. Although he had told the story countless times before, he was sure there was someone new in town, or possibly from the next village over, who had not heard his heart pounding tale.

Lightning put his hand up and the crowd went wild. He bowed his head, a chuckle rising in his throat.

They loved him! Yes, life was good.

Just then something hard hit his leg and he turned to see Tommy smiling up at him. The crowd kept cheering as Tommy plodded over to his spot at the starting line.

“Finally,” Lightning said. “I was beginning to think you were scared.”

“Not me," Tommy said. “But is that a bead of sweat I see on your brow?”

Lightning quickly wiped his forehead. It was dry. He chided himself and glared at Tommy.

“Let’s just get started,” Lightning said. His time to shine was almost there.

The gun went off with a bang.  

Bang.

Bang.

The gun must have malfunctioned because it was firing over and over.

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Lightning the Hare sat up. Sweat soaked his pajamas.

“ARRRGH!” he yelled. “I can’t believe I overslept again.”  There was no way Tommy Tortoise would believe Lightning missing the big race was a mistake two years running.