First Campaign Challenge and Theresa Milstein's Celebration

irst Challenge of the Third Writers' Platform Building Campaign is here!

Right off, here's my entry, tweaked from my novel Out of the Water:

The door swung open.

Her hands shook, though she could not tell if it was anticipation or apprehension.

There was a narrow atrium, and beyond that another doorway. She advanced a step, and a shadow filled the arch. A tall shadow with broad shoulders.

Her heart tripped faster, and she knew it was anticipation.

"Peri?" A whisper in the dark.

She barrelled forward as he strode towards her and they crashed together in the centre of the atrium, his arms wrapping tightly about her. He did not stop, but circled around with her in his arms, nudging her through the archway, repeating her name over and over, until her knees buckled against the side of a divan and he fell on top of her across the cushions.

There was a hunger in his expression she had not seen before, his dark eyes burning with need, the future in their depths. Her husband, Baha, in a city she had not imagined at all; yet off the ship and in their own rooms at last. It was real and she wanted it, but was she allowed to give in to that want, when her family would gainsay it?

The door swung shut.

The rules were as follows: "Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, "The door swung open". These four words will be included in the word count. If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut" (also included in the word count). For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!"

I did all three!

Don't forget - Theresa's having a celebration! Join in the fun and you might win!

Thank you to Deirdra Eden-Coppel for this lovely award!