2nd Campaign Challenge

Yippeee, it's time for the second Campaign Challenge.  The Challenge is:

Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:

• include the word "imago" in the title

• include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity,"

Check out the other entries here.  I'm entry 70 among a sea of awesome entries.  And without any further ado, here is my entry....

The Imagoes

Cordelia was drowning in a miasma.  She struggled against the noxious air choking her, gripping deep into her lungs that ached for air.  Just when she felt all was lost a swarm of butterflies arrived in a moment of perfect synchronicity.  The fluttering insects swirled around her, creating a comforting lacuna.  Cordelia breathed deeply, feeling the clean air oscitate through her parched lungs.  The moment Cordelia had caught her breath and was enjoying the kaleidoscopic cocoon of butterflies surrounding her, they flitted off to their next destination.  One butterfly lingered, its tiny beat of wings caressing her cheek before joining its swarm.

Cordelia awoke, gently rubbing the spot.  The vividness of the dream struck her as odd, considering she'd never even seen a butterfly before.

First Campaign Challenge

It's time for the first Writer's Platform Blog Campaign challenge!  Wahoo!

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)

And so, without further ado, here is my entry, at 182 words.

The Light 

The door swung open and Tess darted out the bathroom past the two giggling girls.  Can’t be late, can’t be late, she chanted to herself.  She had been late the first day of school and the teacherly look Mrs. Dallas had given her made her want to squeeze into the nearest locker and hide there forever.  She glanced at the clock hanging in the hallway, clutching her color coded tabbed binder and her Calculus book tightly to her chest.  If Mrs. Dallas closed that door, she was doomed.

Suddenly a dazzling light exploded silently before her, a brilliant white sheet that encircled her and just as quickly disappeared.  It stung her eyes before thrusting her into darkness.  

Tess' heart pounded and she struggled for comprehension.  Her legs trembled with a tingling weakness and she feared they would collapse under her.  White fuzzy dots swam before her.  Adrenaline coursed painfully through her body.  

Finally, like a camera lens struggling to focus, the images of the hallway slid clearly into view.  But before Tess could even feel the relief of regaining her sight, down the hall the door swung shut.