The Battle That Never Was - ZAPFIC50 MONDAY (Week of 7/14/25) | Prompt: retreat (retirada)
It's Monday! and time for another week of the ZAPFIC challenge. This week it's ZAPFIC50 Monday. That means we freewriters must create a flash fiction story in exactly 50 words. This challenge was created by @felt-buzz and presents the opportunity to explore this week prompt "retreat".
In life, one often has to pause, regroup, then determine whether to proceed forward to reconsider other options. Numerous situations may occur in which this impasse comes into play. The situations may consist of real or imagined obstacles that hinder one from carrying out plans. I share a story with this intent in mind. I hope you enjoy.
My story is below:
"Retreat!!" Lying retrained, General Haverbeck's voice barely penetrated the room. White uniforms rushed to his side.
They stepped back. Stoic faces, including his Lieutenant, stared in disbelief when he then uttered, "Amelia, forgive me for not keeping my promise to return. The enemy was stronger."
His breath reeked of alcohol.
Source
Es lunes y llega otra semana del reto ZAPFIC. Esta semana es el lunes de ZAPFIC50. Esto significa que los escritores libres debemos crear una historia de ficción en exactamente 50 palabras. Este reto fue creado por @felt-buzz y nos brinda la oportunidad de explorar el tema de esta semana, «retiro».
En la vida, a menudo hay que hacer una pausa, reagruparse y luego determinar si hay que seguir adelante o reconsiderar otras opciones. Pueden darse numerosas situaciones en las que entre en juego este impasse. Las situaciones pueden consistir en obstáculos reales o imaginarios que impiden llevar a cabo los planes. Comparto una historia con esta intención. Espero que les guste.
A continuación mi historia.
La batalla que nunca fue
«¡¡Retirada!!» Retirado, la voz del General Haverbeck apenas penetró en la habitación. Los uniformados blancos corrieron a su lado.
Dieron un paso atrás. Los rostros estoicos, incluido el de su teniente, le miraron con incredulidad cuando entonces pronunció: "Amelia, perdóname por no cumplir mi promesa de volver. El enemigo era más fuerte".
Su aliento apestaba a alcohol.
Source
I leave here the screenshot evidencing the 50-word limit for my story for ?:
If you'd like to participate, here's the official post:
Si quieres participar, aquí tienes el post oficial:
RULES:
Post to the Freewriters Community.
Use #freewritehouse, zapfic50monday, and #zapfic tags.
Place a link to your post in the comments to the official ZAPFIC50 Monday post.
Please use a word/character counter (if you search for word counter on the internet or in your phone's app store you will get a big choice!) wordcounter.net and include a screenshot. This makes it easier for you and @feltbuzz!
Use the prompt provided as you see fit (use your imagination)
You have 3 days (until Thursday 23h59 GMT) to post a Zapfic50 Monday (a story written in exactly 50 words) using the prompt given.
Try to tell a complete story if you can!
The story should only exactly 50 words (including spaces)
NORMAS:
Postea en la comunidad de Freewriters.
Utiliza las etiquetas #freewritehouse, zapfic50monday y #zapfic.
Pon un enlace a tu post en los comentarios del post oficial del Lunes de ZAPFIC50.
Utiliza un contador de palabras/caracteres (si buscas contador de palabras en Internet o en la tienda de aplicaciones de tu teléfono tendrás una gran selección) wordcounter.net e incluye una captura de pantalla. Así será más fácil para ti y para @feltbuzz.
Utiliza el texto como mejor te parezca (usa tu imaginación).
Tienes 3 días (hasta el jueves a las 23h59 GMT) para publicar un Zapfic50 Monday (una historia escrita en exactamente 50 palabras) utilizando el tema propuesto.
Intenta contar una historia completa si puedes.
La historia debe tener exactamente 50 palabras (espacios incluidos).
SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.
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STOPAn excellent achievement in my view. Thanks for the notice.
I feel for General Haverbeck. Col. Lee, Maj. Hamilton, and Capt. Ludlow would be on the phone trying to figure out how to motivate him to get into treatment ... but at this point it may sadly be too late.
You are correct @deeanndmathews in that it's too late for the General. All he has now is regret and false memories of what could have been.
Thanks so much for your visit and kind words. I appreciate it. Take care.
!LADY
Over in the Lofton County Universe, Col. Lee just lost Col. Gebhardt for the same reason (with a car and a pole to wrap it around added)... it's so sad what happens with our vets, but they have choices to make, too ... but it is so, so sad.
Yes, everyone has choices. Sometimes those choices are difficult when dealing with personal demons that no one knows about. The sacrifices veterans make to keep a country safe is beyond the comprehension of those who rarely think about it as they retire each night to bed and are being kept safe.
Thanks for your visit. Take care.
!LADY
And that's the thing ... we know that of all people, a general would remember things that happened to his own men on top of whatever happened with the enemy because of his choices ... the burden of command is very, very heavy. That is why General Haversack is heartbreaking. Not so proud that he would not order a retreat when necessary -- we see that -- not so proud that he cannot apologize -- we see that. Just lost, nonetheless.
@topcomment
You received an upvote ecency
Hello @riyat. Thanks so much for stopping by and alerting me to the support by the @ecency community. I appreciate it. Take care.
!LADY