Trifecta – Week 81- Cassie’s Light of Hope

A new week and a new word challenge. The good folks at the Trifecta Writing Challenge have  dropped us another challenge based on the third level definition of a word from the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary. Sounds simple huh? well it might be, but you will have to delve deeper into your usual list of word uses as the goal is to utilize the third definition listed.

Weekday Challenge:
Each Monday at 10:00 AM Eastern Time, a one-word prompt will be posted on our home page. The chosen word will come from the Merriam Webster’s Online Dictionary. For the Trifecta Writing Challenge, we will always use the THIRD given definition. Please note the definition—we’re likely asking you to use the word in a different way than you typically do.

You should write a creative response using the given word. You must use the word, in its correct form, in your response. Your response can be no fewer than 33 and no more than 333 words.

Now on to the weekly, one-word prompt.  This week, you’re being judged by your peers with:

LIGHT (noun)

1a : something that makes vision possible
b : the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
c : electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that travels in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second; specifically : such radiation that is visible to the human eye
2a : daylight
b : dawn
3: a source of light: as
a : a celestial body
 b : candle   

   c : an electric light

So without further ado, I always wanted to say that, here is my stab at the prompt. I invite you to return if you like what I write because there is a peer voting that will follow to determine the favorite entry. I have only been a part of three of these and this is the first one that is community judged. See more about that below my entry.

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Cassie’s Light of Hope

Cassie’s face was aglow with the light from the butane lighter in her right hand. She patiently held the flame against the newly opened candle in her left hand as the flame licked stubbornly at the tip of the wick. New candles always demanded patience while the factory coating surrendered to the incinerating heat of a flame. She could remember when her heart was much like this wick, in that she determined herself not to fall so easily for the charms and smile of a man.

That was before that fantastic day at the amusement park. The ride on the newest and fastest roller coaster and the chance meeting with Jake, the most handsome sandy haired god-like guy she had ever seen. His tousled hair, blue eyes and deep dimples drew her like a moth to a flame. Her conspiratorial girlfriends made sure she was the one paired with him on the ride.

Before Cassie knew it she was squeezing Jake’s hand while the roller coaster hung precariously for a few seconds before its first seismic generating drop. His laughter was like a medicine for her weary soul. He was so easy to talk and listen to that she opened up much faster than she should have. It was what she considered to be her worst fault. Her vulnerability always left her with a broken heart.

Staring at the flame she remembered telling Jake she would light a candle in her window to let him know her alcoholic mother was away. After the first experience with her mom she had to beg him not to run away. The tequila her mother loved made her the most belligerent soul Cassie had ever met. She began berating Jake as soon as he crossed the threshold and never stopped.

Now Cassie cast her eyes on the street as she said a silent prayer that this man of her dreams had the stomach to rescue her from this hell. 

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This week’s challenge is community judged.

• For the 14 hours following the close of the challenge, voting will be enabled on links.

• In order to vote, return to this post where stars will appear next to each link.  To vote, simply click the star that corresponds with your favorite post.

• You can vote for your top three favorite posts.

• Voting is open to everyone. Encourage your friends to vote for you, if you wish, but please don’t tell them to vote on a number.  The numbering of the posts changes regularly, as authors have the ability to delete their own links at any time.

• You have 14 hours to vote.  It’s not much time, so be diligent! We’ll send out reminders on Twitter and Facebook.
• The winners will be announced in the comments of Friday’s post and will be posted in our typical fashion in the post on the following Monday.