Self-Review – Rescued

Let’s Look at Rescued

I’ve rescued this story from its draft, but it could stand to be longer. However, with its original prompt word, it seems like a relatively ideal story for this posting date, Xmas of 2025.

I wrote this story during the second quarter of 2021.

Background for Rescued

The original prompt was the word salvation.

Much like with the longer and better thought-out Mandy Goes to Aspen, this story is about a rather snarky woman who has to be rescued from a catastrophe.

But Samantha and Mandy end up with somewhat different fish to fry.

Plot for Rescued

Samantha is buried under rubble somewhere in Arizona, thinking that there’s been some sort of an earthquake. As her calls for help turn to whispers amidst the dust and debris, she hears a bark and sees a person in full protective gear come to save her.

While things should have been looking up for her, the rescuer lets her in on what happened. It was a terror attack.

Characters

The characters are the victim Samantha, her rescuer and his dog, a few medical personnel, and a liaison named Joyce Chang who helps to give some helpful exposition.

Memorable Quotes

“Save me! Save me!” I screamed with all my might. Which … wasn’t much. But you try screaming after climbing through earthquake rubble some time and see how you do.

The only response was the sound of something falling down, and then the tinkling of breaking glass.

I bet I moved too much stuff. Shit, that might’ve been a really stupid idea.

And you were just going to hang around a bunch of mismatched body parts?

Samantha, you’ve gotta be joking. Or mental. Or both.

I never knew this area got earthquakes. Scorpions? Check. Hot weather? Check. Retirement communities by the billion? Check. But earthquakes? Arizona does not get earthquakes. Until now, I guess.

Every breath I draw, I smell dust. Thank God, no gas or ash. But it’s bad enough. I can’t stay here. “Help! Help me, please!”

Sheesh, that sounded like whining.

Oh, c’mon, you honestly think anyone would blame you for whining?

Genre and Overall Mood for Rescued

The genre is contemporary fiction/disaster epic. The mood is grim and concerning, despite Samantha joking with herself about her predicament. Because there is a very real chance that she will not survive the attack.

Rating

The story has a K+ rating. There is very little salty language, but if you had just had a building fall on you, you would be spouting off some pretty salty language yourself.

Takeaways for Rescued

I kind of like where this one was going, and so it feels rather incomplete. To this day, I have no idea who attacked, or why they attacked Arizona, of all places.

I don’t even know if Samantha makes it. And whenever I feel I want to find out whether she did, I suppose I will finish this one. And then it can be rescued from the world of literary fragments.

Want More of my Short Stories and Novellas?

If this story resonates with you, then I hope you will check out some of my other blog posts about my shorter works.

And finally, for a complete list of my shorter works, please be sure to check out the Hub Page—Short Stories.