I started this yesterday for the writing exercise at ambiguous_tales. I'm not quite happy with how it turned out. I had a good start, but I think that part of the problem was that I started out trying to write an original fiction piece, but Samantha Carter from SG-1 kept trying to butt into the story, and I couldn't clear up what my direction/focus was, which resulted in a stalled story.

This would probably be either just after Janet's death, or just after breaking up with Pete and her father's death, either of which would be very traumatic experiences for her.

250 Words, 16 Feb 08
Feedback welcome.


It was sweltering hot, and Sam could feel the sweat running down her back and making her t-shirt stick to her skin beneath her leather jacket. She fought the urge to fidget and the part of her that wanted to rip the offending garments from her skin and run, screaming, for the hills. The hundreds of miles that she had traveled since this afternoon hadn't quieted the instinct to run, to flee, as far and fast as she could.

She dismounted her motorcycle, right at the edge of the beach, uncaring that it toppled over in her haste. She ripped her helmet off and fell to her knees in the sand, her legs unwilling to support her any further. The dampness seeping through her jeans, and the moist breeze off the ocean brought a welcome feeling of coolness as the sun started to set below the horizon. She ran a shaky hand through her sweat dampened blonde hair, and took a deep breath, feeling the tightness of her cheeks when her tears had dried on her skin.

She knew she had to go back soon. She was too old to run away and there were too many people relying on her. Not just yet, though. Right now, she was going to stop and rest, breathe in the fresh, salty air, and remember how to pretend that nothing was missing from her life.