Spiral Staircase

I didn’t “feel like” writing tonight, but I forced myself to do it anyway. It is the New Year, and if my goal is to write more this year, what better time than the first day? I am falling into a habit of 99 words; this was only 102 words after the first draft. (Compare that to the over 300 words I wrote for last week’s prompt!) It is a short piece, using the Carrot Ranch prompt, but I think it will be a fun read.

This week’s prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about steps, stairs or a staircase.

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View down the spiral staircase in Haldon Belvedere, a folly on Haldon Hill, near Exeter, Devon.

Bella descended the creaky spiral staircase, her manicured ivory hand sliding confidently along the rail, securing her position in space. Her rose-colored satin gown swished as she moved. She could almost hear the music of the ball.

Halfway down, she hesitated when she heard a gunshot in the distance.

She recognized that gunshot and knew what it meant. Gus had shot at something. She hoped he had fallen a large buck to feed them over the winter. In this godforsaken wilderness where a grown woman played dress-up for entertainment, at least she could look forward to a good meal.

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I am attempting to participate in Just Jot January.  Since this is the first of January, I’m not making any promises, but I can say (at this point) that I will try to jot something down every day.