The traffic light was red.
My little ford engine spluttered, jerked and bunny hopped forward toward the white line and then died.
How embarrassing.
Music blared from the open windows of the sports car beside me.
The light turned green and they were off.
Smiling, singing and billowing in who-cares-we’re-young-and-wild-and-‘aint-nothing-going- to stop-this-cool-thing-that-we-are happiness.
I sat at the traffic lights whilst other drivers honked their car horns and sped off past me.
I hate my life.
“Where’d you get your license from?” Someone yelled.
“Get off the road you old granny!” Someone else chortled.
I blushed.
I tried to start the engine again unsuccessfully.
“Why can’t I have new wheels, I WANT NEW WHEELS!” I screamed out to the world, not caring who heard me.
I stepped out of the car.
There was a screech of tyres.
12 months later, I sit in my wheelchair.
Be careful what you wish for.
© ryan
Universal Specification
for the july flash fiction challenge
Holly Ringland, about 1 month ago
Kaboom! This is mortifyingly good Nic and thundered along at a pace stopped dead in its tracks by the ending… phew… great cringe-worthy twist. Every word is perfectly placed and packs a punch. You are a sorceress of universal words aren’t you? Is there anything you can’t write about? Well done, you ;) xx
Emma Robinson, about 1 month ago
Love it – I was thinking this challenge was crying out for a ‘Be careful what you wish for’ – and what a brilliant example you have crafted.
WanderingAuthor, about 1 month ago
Excellent! You neatly led the reader right where you wanted them, there was a screech of tyres – and your ending rolled right over the stunned expression on their faces. :D
Nicole Ryan in reply to WanderingAuthor’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanx Ray :)
Miri, about 1 month ago
oof, that got me! great writing, didn’t see that coming at all!
Nicole Ryan in reply to Miri’s comment, about 1 month ago
i’m getting my twisted tales and flash fictions mixed up now LOL
flower68, about 1 month ago
Thanks for the advice.Well done Twistie ;-)
John Robb, about 1 month ago
Great work
Nicole Ryan in reply to flower68’s comment, about 1 month ago
LOL! ah, you know the drill of life :)
twistie .. blush xx
Nicole Ryan in reply to John Robb’s comment, about 1 month ago
thanx john
aglaia b, about 1 month ago
holy shit, so much said in the last three lines and yes you got the new wheels, wheel chair wheels.
Be careful what you wish for.
you make that line here sound sooooo fearful! ;-) xox
aglaia b, about 1 month ago
wow, what a title too! ;-) xox
Nicole Ryan in reply to aglaia b’s comment, about 1 month ago
thank you so much !!!
jcmontgomery, about 1 month ago
VERY good. Ending really took my breath away. Had to read it twice.
deliriousgirl, about 1 month ago
ARGHHHHH!!!! You’ve killed me with this one!!!! How damn brilliant!!!!
Nicole Ryan in reply to jcmontgomery’s comment, about 1 month ago
thanx so much !!
Nicole Ryan in reply to deliriousgirl’s comment, about 1 month ago
thanx Jen xx
Niki08, about 1 month ago
Jesus! You are a great writter was not expecting it at all
Nicole Ryan in reply to Niki08’s comment, about 1 month ago
lol
i love your comments
thanx
Chanel2, about 1 month ago
Excellent twist Nicole, great writing.
brutusB3, 28 days ago
Congratulations on winning, your story is wonderfully chilling!
-b
Miri, 28 days ago
congratulations!! yay!!
Nicole Ryan in reply to brutusB3’s comment, 28 days ago
thanks !!
Nicole Ryan in reply to Miri’s comment, 28 days ago
ooh LOL thank you !!
Natella2020, 27 days ago
Congratulations on the win, Nicole! This is a beautiful writing, shocking ending, which is exactly what we like!