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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Achoo (04/11/13)
The darkness pressed in, crushing Ezekiel’s chest with its oppressive weight. Even with his eyes open, he could not see the boards, mere inches from his nose. The confined space held no physical comfort, only the protection of darkness for himself and his sister. It was a coffin of freedom.

Lying flat on his back, Ezekiel could feel every bounce of the wagon. The rumble of the wheels roared in his ears. Miriam’s hand gripped his with a fierceness that belayed her size. Her body trembled next to his. Ezekiel longed to pull her close and whisper assurances in her ear, but instead rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. He didn’t dare make a sound to comfort her.

Time held no measure as Ezekiel and Miriam huddled in their dark world.

Ezekiel would do anything to protect his sister, the only member of his family that hadn’t been taken from him, ripped away by a cruel master. The Master had treated them worse than animals, to be used and discarded. But he would have been furious when he discovered Ezekiel and Miriam missing. Master had taken a special interest in Miriam. Barely a woman, she already grew with child.

At some point, Ezekiel must have fallen asleep, because a sudden lurch of the wagon woke him with a gasp. Miriam squeezed his hand hard, reminding him of their predicament. The wagon slowed and then stopped. Have we reached the next station? The harsh voices outside of the wagon told him this stop was not planned.

The hairs on the nape of Ezekiel’s neck stood on end, as the wagon shifted from extra weight. Heavy boots clomped above them. Ezekiel’s heartbeat quickened as he heard the bales of hay being pushed around. The fine dust drifted through the cracks and settled on them. It stuck to the moisture on his forehead and lip. Ezekiel wiggled his nose, trying to dislodge an especially irritating piece. The piece refused to move, and Ezekiel dared not shift his position for fear of being heard by the angry men above him.

Moments moved by in agonizing slowness, as Ezekiel’s nose twitched. A sneeze was building. Ezekiel tried to concentrate on something else, but the hay dust would not be ignored.

Beside him, Miriam’s body was ridged. Her fingers, digging into his hand, were clammy. With every step on the boards above, she flinched. Ezekiel could not let these men hurt his precious sister. Only absolute quiet and stillness would protect them. Ezekiel prayed the slavers had not brought their dogs.

He squeezed his eyes shut, and wiggled his mouth. Drops of moisture leaked from his eyes. Pinpricks of pain spread across his forehead, and down his body. The sneeze continued to grow. Ezekiel wouldn’t be able to hold it in for long. Desperately he prayed for God’s strength. If he could only last a few more minutes.

The wagon bounced as the man jumped down, but Ezekiel could still hear them talking beside the wagon bed. He curled his toes and dug his fingernails into the palm of his hand. He would rather die in this coffin-like space than go back to the Master. He would not sneeze.

But the sneeze continued to grow, filling the whole of Ezekiel’s consciousness.

When the wagon started moving again, Ezekiel continued to hold the sneeze. Finally, he heard the sound he was waiting for. Three quick raps on the wagon bed. The danger had passed.

“ACHOO.” Ezekiel turned his head and wiped his nose on his shoulder. A sneeze had never felt so good.

“Bless you,” Miriam giggled quietly beside him. Ezekiel stroked her thumb.

Yes, Lord, bless us as we travel this road to freedom, He prayed knowing they would not be out of danger until they crossed into Canada. Please keep us safe.
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This article has been read 1547 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
lynn gipson 
04/19/13
Another fine one you have turned out. Loved this story and was holding my breath for the sneeze to stifle! This is fine writing.
lynn gipson 
04/19/13
Another fine one you have turned out. Loved this story and was holding my breath for the sneeze to stifle! This is fine writing.
Lori Dixon
04/19/13
Fabulous piece of writing! I was on the edge of my seat and-to be honest-that doesn't happen to me very often!
Thanks so much for the story!
Judith Gayle Smith-Owens Vitouswykegardinerclark
04/19/13
Rivetting. This is a most excellent take on the topic. I feel an "Editor's Choice" in the air . . .
Alicia Renkema
04/22/13
Oh my gosh, this piece is amazing -- like write out of a Christian novel which I hope you write! This is too good not to expand on. Your descriptions of their surroundings, the 'coffin of freedom' they were riding in, the MC's internal dialogue with himself and the loving way you talked about your sister all drew me in. This should be a winner for sure. This piece was so imaginative and you had me on the edge of my seat throughout... The only red ink I have at all is where you say that Ezekiel's sneeze grew and took up his whole consciousness or something like that. You had already in the two preceding paragraphs told about that in a most effective way that had the reader right there with the fact that this sneeze just kept building and the peril that would be involved if Ezekiel couldn't hold out. If you just take that one sentence out, I think this story is picture perfect. I hope it gets an EC. Well done my friend... Blessings to you girl.
Cheryl Harrison
04/23/13
I enjoyed reading your story. Your descriptions put me in the wagon with your characters. I held my breath hoping Ezekiel could keep from sneezing. Great job!
Michelle Knoll 
04/24/13
Was caught up in the story from the very beginning. Good job!
Beth LaBuff 
04/24/13
Gripping, riveting, amazing ... You have so much packed into your expertly worded story. Super title, too!
Jack Taylor 
04/24/13
Gripping suspense and solid human drama taking us back to a time most of us are glad is entombed in history and not still part of experience that enchains us. The land of the free and the home of the brave was not always so. Thanks for the humble reminder.
Kim Norton
04/25/13
Congrats! *Love this piece!*
Francy Judge 
04/25/13
Congratulations on your EC. I love this. The paragraph beginning with "The hair on the nape..." described the scene so well that the reader might sneeze. I could feel the suspense.
Beth LaBuff 
04/25/13
Congrats, once again, Christina!
Sheldon Bass 
04/25/13
What a joy to read this piece and see how "the Masters" do it. Congratulations! As someone else has said, Riveting! My wife was calling me as I was reading. I kept saying, "Not now, this is great stuff!" Now I have to go read some of your other stuff. (-:
Charla Diehl
04/26/13
Wow! This should have been higher up on the EC list, in my opinion. If this were a book, it would be a page turner. You grabbed my interest from the first sentence and it just kept building from there. This one got my heart racing for the MC and his sister and their horrible situation. Your use of words was excellent, the pacing was just right and your ending left this reader relieved--and hoping for a sequel. Great job!
Bea Edwards 
04/27/13
You wrote a fantastic, suspenseful piece. I thoroughly enjoyed the bumpy ride.
Very well crafted! Congratulations on your EC placing.