The Nightmare

Prompt: challenge #266 - rise

Maria lay in bed half propped up on her elbow, her chin rested in her hand. She watched the gentle rise and fall of Sarah Jane's chest as her heart did its duty; pumping round blood and oxygen. Maria delicately placed her hand over the vital organ and let it rise and fall in sync. She closed her eyes as though in prayer and willed whatever powerful entities the universe held, they would keep this woman's heart beating forever more. Maria had awoken during the last moments of a dream; and the hollow feeling of grief left an indelible impression.

*

One Direction

Prompt: challenge #267 - up

Hurry up - running for your lives. Cheer up - when the universe wasn't so kind. Look up - at the stars in wonder. Break up - because of what other people think. Talk up - that you're getting through it okay. Dress up - for your first date with each other. Big up - your life away from her so that she doesn't worry about you. Push up - your confidence and swallow your pride. Fold up - the secret love letters she sends to you. Hold up - the flight she's leaving on so you can win her back. Grow up - and tell her that you love her.

*

Memory Box

Prompt: challenge #268 - save

She kept a memory box stuffed to the brim with trinkets, photographs, letters, emails, and diary pages. Various ticket stubs, chocolate wrappers and dried out flowers were squashed between layers. Maria Jackson saved everything she had ever received from Sarah Jane and mementoes from any time they had spent together. Maria supposed most people would think she was a little odd holding on to these things but late at night, in the cold long months of winter they gave her some kind of comfort; that the woman who was once so central in her life hadn't been just a dream.