Shorts – Full Force

Having slowed somewhat in my writing, a while back(September 2022) I sat down to force myself to write 500 words a night. These are some of those word-salads. Unedited, raw, and just done for the hell of it…What concerns me most about this one is that I have no recollection of writing it. How curious.

Darnel threw his bag down onto the floor and slumped into his chair, the cap of his beer sliding between his fingers and onto the floor.

“Is that you?” came an excited voice from upstairs. “I will be down in a minute I’m just getting ready.”

“I wouldn’t bother” he replied taking a long drink and wiping his mouth.

“What do you mean” came the reply. “Aren’t we going to the cantina? What happened?”

“I got busted down to private. Lost my stripes. I really don’t feel like it. Some of the lads will be out and I really do not want to see them.”

Zara popped her head around the corner and peered down the staircase into the living room.

“Honey what happened? Tell me.”

Darnel sighed deeply and finished the beer before opening a second.

“I don’t know babe, I really don’t” he replied. “I screwed up. I think.”

She hurried down the stairs, sat on his lap and kissed his forehead.

“Tell me. Please. What happened.”

He place the bottle on the table and held her hand.

“We were on patrol and I missed a mark. Went clean past me but I swear honey, I am certain that they weren’t the droids we were looking for…”