Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Writing (01/11/07)
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TITLE: Dueling Solutions | Previous Challenge Entry
By william price
01/16/07 -
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At least it makes a good coaster.
On the other side of the laptop lays a 9mm revolver. His quivering right hand caresses the coolness of its blue steel. The irony of the props in front of him causes Hunter to cast a wry grin.
Only God could have scripted this scene. A Bible sits silent, never opened to my left. A gun lays harmlessly still to my right. A blank computer screen, symbolic of the answers I don’t have to impossible questions, is sandwiched between the two solutions, neither of which I have much experience using.
Hunter’s hands hover over the keyboard waiting for direction. He starts to type.
Dear Family,
As I write this I am faced with a great dilemma. As you know, I am in trouble. I appreciate all of your support and prayers, but I do not think I can spend the next 20 years in prison. I seriously doubt the jury will have mercy on me when my trial is over. I’ve spent every penny I had on my defense and on bond money to keep me out of jail to this point. I have nothing left but the scalding reality of my actions.
The only thing I’ve ever had in my life was writing. It was always so easy creating fictional characters. But now, as I write about myself, I struggle for the right words. I don’t know how the story will end. I have no control over the plot. I can’t delete words already written. They are facts now eternally printed. I got drunk, drove when I shouldn’t have and killed a mother. I know I deserve punishment. I’m not even sure at this point if I deserve to live. It’s not the prison time I fear; it’s the guilt of living. I’ll never forget the expressions on the woman’s family in court. I know they hate me. But, if truth be known, their hate for me is nothing compared to the hate I have for myself.
Even as I type this I do not know what I am going to do. I have a Bible to my left and a newly purchased pistol to my right. If you end up reading this you’ll know I chose the right.
Hunter quits typing and gazes at the Bible under his iced tea.
God, if I give the gun here one chance, I know it’ll work. So I’m going to open this Bible and see what it says. I’m not afraid to die. I’m not afraid to be punished. But, I am afraid and I don’t know why.
Hunter removes the iced tea from the Bible and picks it up. He leafs through the pages and points his finger at a scripture. After he reads it he snaps the book closed, sets it down and picks up the pistol. His finger trembles on the trigger. He closes his eyes. Then he opens one eye. He sees the cursor still blinking on the computer screen waiting for more words. He lays the gun back down.
Okay, God, I’m a writer myself and I know you can’t judge a book by one sentence. So, I’m going to give it another chance. By the way, I already knew the punishment for sin was death. But, there must be more to the story. I haven’t even met your main character yet.
Hunter shuts off his computer, picks up the Bible and goes to bed where he reads until he falls asleep.
Four weeks later Hunter is writing another letter, but this one is with a pencil on paper.
Dear Family,
Just want you all to know that I have chosen life. I’ll explain what that means later. But, I want to say I know Jesus loves me, though I still don’t know why. I am going to continue writing in prison. I’m working on a novel called Dueling Solutions. I’m not sure how it’s going to end yet, but I know God will help me find it.
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Thank you for the "happy ending." Prison might not be so bad, afterall :)
I like how you included a reason that this character would choose to give the Bible another chance after reading only one verse. That made it all the more realistic.
Thanks for commenting on "Searching for Serena"
It is nice to read artilces that show that people can overcome.
Congrats, dear friend.
Thank you for commenting on my writing, too. I appreciate you, Friend!