The Well - One Word Challenge: Writers - Online

  

  Writers-Online  January 2012 prose winner -  "Shift"

The Well

 The sky is overcast with dark grey streaks signalling rain. She wishes she'd worn shoes instead of sandals that flap against her heels, flicking bits of loose Tarmac as she waits to cross the newly laid road.

Rush hour traffic buzzes past, exhaust fumes mingling with the oily smell of bitumen, catching her throat. Same walk to the same supermarket, same time, same route she's been taking for a number of years since her youngest started full time school.

She glances at her watch as she weaves between a van and a bus while the lights are on red. She's not late, yet.

A flash of sunlight illuminates the scene as the sounds around her change. Her feet feel encased. She looks down to see herself dressed in laced boots, thick wool stockings, a linen pinafore covering a rough dress.Water trickles over stones and a heavy leather bucket thuds against her as a boy hauls in the rope. A snuffling,steaming horse waits patiently, scraping it's hooves on the cobbles.

Then as suddenly, she is back in the present. A time shift that reverts in a moment but remains in memory.

The lights change to green. She continues her walk.

Click here to see the picture that inspired this flash fiction