The sniper inhaled and then, very slightly, held his breath. He squeezed the trigger gently. The .338 Magnum bullet travelled towards the terrorist at 3,000 feet per second.
Just as the sniper fired, a fly landed on the target’s face. Irritated, he turned to brush it away and shook his head in frustration as the 200 grain bullet hit the breech of his Kalashnikov rifle and ricocheted off, piercing a small girl’s head.
The hands which would have become a doctor’s twitched and died. Within her womb, the egg which was destined to grow into a saviour for her people expired.
That’s something. Thank you.
Good Evening Daria.
Thank you for reading my little story.
I am strong believer that major changes, on many levels, can happen with a, tiny incident.
The old Norse nations were really keen on the idea of Wyrd bid ful ?raed – fate is inexorable – and I loosely subscribe to this idea. This is why I chose the action of a single fly to alter the fate of a millions of people.
I hope that you will be able to read some more of my work on this site.
Best wishes
Frank
Very thought provoking.
Good Evening Joy
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my story. I have mentioned how I had the idea for the piece to Daria, above.
Please note that the Norse is Wyrd bid ful ?raed but the automated comment editor doesn’t like the accent over the letter a.
Maybe I will have more luck with this post!
If not, the final word should be araed – but with a long vowel accent over the first letter. All rather anoraky, I know, but a bit a fun.
I hope that you will be able to read some more of my work on this site.
Best wishes
Frank
Riveting and sorrow filled.
Thanks your comments, Glenn. I am pleased that you enjoyed the story.
I also write much happier pieces and if 101 publishes some of these I will be interested in your observations.
Cheers
Frank
Great premise. Loved reading it. Just an observation if I may…no need for ,very slightly, at the beginning. Gets in the way, makes the reader pause.
Good Evening Karen
Thank you for your kind comments and thoughtful observations.
Here are my thoughts on the phrase in parenthesis which you mention. I am delighted that you feel that it makes the reader pause. As a writer, I am extremely interested in very precise moments in time – falling in love, accidents, tragedies, moments of deep, intense insight et al.
As the sniper prepares to squeeze the trigger, I wanted to explore that specific fraction of a second. If he had taken just a millisecond longer breath – or a shorter one – would the bullet have hit the gun stock at the exact angle needed to richochet off and kill the little girl? This is for the reader to decide.
What I wanted to do was define the micro moment which changed history.
Thanks again for leaving your comments.
Best wishes
Frank