Trial by Ordeal

On Saturday May 9, 2020, about a week ago, I was in a one-day writing competition through #NYCMidnight called the #MicroFictionChallenge100. I woke up that morning to my assignment:

Genre: Historical fiction

Action: Ringing a bell

Word: "custom"

This micro fiction story had to be less than 100 words. BTW, 100 words goes by very very quickly!

As per the usual, I almost gave up. Only this time it wasn't for lack of ideas, it was because I'd just had hip surgery and was feeling awful! But I couldn't bear to miss out, so between roughly 9pm and 9:30pm, I got it done, and I was very happy with it! From the get-go, when I heard "historical fiction", I wanted to write something about Witch Hunts. Only this past winter, Warren and I visited the Torture Museum in Brugge, Belgium. It was very eye-opening, educational, and fascinating.... and freaky what humans can do. Anyways, below is what I submitted. It'll be roughly mid-June when I learn if I get to advance to Round 2 of the competition.

Trial by Ordeal

Agnes thrashed as she was tossed naked and bound into the river. She willed herself to sink. In the freezing depths she prayed for the safety of her daughter. The capricious current spat her out and Agnes reluctantly gasped for breath.

“All witness she floats! She’s rejected the Lord and her baptism!” True to custom, the town bells began to ring, summoning all to the square.

As she was dragged through the righteous crowd, Agnes caught a whiff of smoke. Searching for the flames, her eyes fell on the satisfied face of her only daughter.

Mercy, Lord.