Story 2: The Wounded Stranger
Word count: 1000 words exactly l Prompt: Desperate Times Bimala trudged to the pile of firewood outside the house. She took her time choosing a few sturdy pieces for the kitchen fire. It was time to get dinner going. As she turned away, a rough hand came out of nowhere and clamped down on her mouth and a voice whispered in her ear, “Don’t scream. All I want is a little help and then I’ll be gone.” Too stunned to do anything, Bimala struggled to retain her footing as a man sagged against her. Was this the outlaw who was rumoured to be in these parts since the last few weeks? There had been reports of encounters between the police and a group of Naxalites who were all too common in this forest area. Bimala’s husband was an ageing constable and although not in the thick of action, he got to know all the inside information. “I just need a place to stay the night,” the voice begged. Bimala watched as the man slumped to the ground and lay there in a stupor. She debated the wisdom of