Flash Fiction Friday: War & Peace

Prompt: War and Peace

Word Count: 201

This year, she tried to put her weapons down.  She was not fighting against some sovereign entity, but rather against the voices that had started the war within her own head.  Her swords were sharp, terrible thoughts.  I am not attractive anymore, what use do I have if I’m not pretty?  My creative endeavors are foolish, I should give them up.  I am not worthy of love, I do not deserve it.

Her daggers were her eyes, but only when they looked at her own reflection, in mirrors and pictures. I am not attractive anymore, what use do I have if I’m not pretty? Look at all the places where I wrinkle and sag.

There were other weapons she used, some she had forged over the years and some that were given to her by careless and cruel individuals. This year, she put them all in a sturdy, wooden box, locked tightly closed with a shiny, metal lock. There were times the box still rattled and shook, and the echo of how the weapons had been used filled her mind, but she pushed their influence out of her mind and reminded herself that love was stronger than hate.

Wars were not won in a single battle and peace could only be achieved through constant vigilance.

Flash fiction is short fiction, often under 500 words and often written in a short space of time.  If you would like to do your own piece of flash fiction, feel free to put it in the comments or link me to the place you post it.  I would love to see what you come up with for the prompt.