Superman versus the Wall #microcosms #flashfiction

Posted on Mar 27, 2018 by TanGental

‘You have to push harder, Superman.’
It was his coach’s refrain. He was trying. Only…
‘Do you want to be a credit to the Party?’
That was the issue wasn’t it? How can you run for a concept? For yourself, for your country but for an ideal?
Joachim shuffled his dusty shoes. ‘I had that toad Schiffer here. Said they expect a win this weekend, or…’
‘Or what?’
Joachim shrugged. ‘Boy like you. Those muscles. They’ll find a use.’
Hans smiled. ‘Something for Superman?’
‘Don’t hold your breath.’
*
‘Building work?’
‘Nothing challenging. Carrying stuff.’
‘What are we building?’
‘A wall.’
‘What for?’
‘To keep them out.’
Hans nodded. Of course. He looked at the lights sparkling from the Western sector. They were rushing over.
‘You’re meant to be fast. Well, let’s see some action.’
*
Hans watched the wall grow. He listened to the others, heard about camps and controls, things he had been hidden from when training. The time to escape was shortening.
An idea formed and drove him back to the track. He trained hard, ferociously. His times came down. Whispers began. Maybe he should be allowed back onto the programme. When Joachim approached Hans he smiled.
The day they finished the crossing to the West was a Tuesday. Dignitaries were there, a lot of pomp, to inspect the workers and glory the fatherland.
Hans twitched, waiting the moment when the barrier went up.
He ran, like he’d never run before. Curving towards the startled guards on the western side. He’d show them glory.
The finishing line was in sight when a crack, like a hamstring snapping jolted him to a halt. As Hans fell, Joachim’s words, when he first saw him run, came back. ‘Like Superman.’
Not true, as Hans knew. No one was faster than a bullet.

This week’s microcosms prompts were: Sprinter, Berlin, history. Please visit and see if you’d like to join in. 

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
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16 Responses to Superman versus the Wall #microcosms #flashfiction

  1. Ritu says:
    Mar 27, 2018 at 1:08 pm

    Now Theres a twist to the story. Nicely done His Geoffleship 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Teagan R. Geneviene says:
    Mar 27, 2018 at 1:22 pm

    Oh! I don’t know what I expected (actually I do — when I read “Push” I thought you were going to have an about-to-give-birth Superman), but perfect twist at the end. Hugs~!

    Like

  3. watchingthedaisies says:
    Mar 27, 2018 at 2:21 pm

    A great story but such a sad ending.

    Like

  4. thecontentedcrafter says:
    Mar 27, 2018 at 7:26 pm

    It seems to me there’s more pathos coming out of your creative head currently – it’ amazes me!

    Like

  5. Erika Kind says:
    Mar 27, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    Believe it or not but I expected something like that. Anyway, it was a shocking feeling to read it.

    Like

  6. robbiesinspiration says:
    Mar 28, 2018 at 5:13 am

    Oooooh, Geoff, that feels really painful as I read this.

    Liked by 1 person

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