100 Wc Week 1 - Death Overhead

The rasping, grating sound seemed to go on forever…and then the noise stopped. Like tired ballerinas the fading shadows danced on the uneven shelter wall as the flame from the spent candle spluttered. He gripped the pillow with his sweaty fingers looking at the worried faces around him. They had been here before, but usually the noise had drifted into the distance and faded. Tonight it was overhead. Too close! As the first rays of morning tiptoed over the garden they waited. Fifteen seconds of silence; fifteen seconds of hope. But then it was as if the sun had exploded, and all hope was gone.

Or the happy ending...

The rasping, grating sound seemed to go on forever…and then the noise stopped. Like tired ballerinas the fading shadows danced on the uneven shelter wall as the flame from the spent candle spluttered. He gripped the pillow with his sweaty fingers looking at the worried faces around him. They had been here before, but usually the noise had drifted into the distance and faded. Tonight it was overhead. Too close! As the first rays of morning tiptoed over the garden they waited. Fifteen seconds of silence; fifteen seconds of hope. Then a mighty explosion split the air in the near distance. They had been spared.