Fred shook with anticipation as he entered the bedroom. The wind that constantly blew in across the rocky coastline of his village rattled the windows. Or was that his teeth rattling? He had been granted one wish and this was it.
He sat on the edge of the bed and took a few deep breaths. His anticipation was palpable. The door opened and Ginger stepped inside. Fred rose to meet her. He reached out his hand and he could feel the blood rushing out of his brain when she interlaced her fingers with his. Tentatively at first, he kissed her, then hungrily, passionately. Gently, she broke their embrace to lead him to the bed.
They looked deeply into each other’s eyes while she removed all of their clothing. Taking his hand again, she pulled him onto the bed. He knew that she had experience and willingly let her take control. She lead him to pleasures he had never even imagined.
In the morning, Fred awoke alone. Today was the big day. The day of the wedding. He had the honor of representing his village. The path was lined with well-wishers as he strode toward the sea. His family and closest friends were waiting by the altar on a precipice high above the crashing surf. The wind whipped in from the cold water and it filled him with pride.
At the altar he embraced his parents and wiped the tears from his mother’s face. He turned and looked back at his village. He half-hoped to see Ginger, but he knew that by tradition she would be out of sight. Musicians struck up the wedding march. The wind howled in response and brought a salty spray over the wedding party. The sea was angry and needed to be calmed. The survival of the village was at stake. The village was offering her a husband. Fred stepped onto the altar and leapt to the water below.
[Note: Learn more about Fred and Ginger here. ~Tim]
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Let's do Something Cheap and Superficial 
What a very good story!
At first I thought that he had spent a wonderful night of passion (and you left out all the good parts, eh) and then had to marry another woman.
So imagine my “Huh?” when he leapt into the arms of the sea.
Wonderful twist.
Thanks! Yeah, a version with the “good parts” would be a bit out of place here, but maybe I could write that for an adult site. ~Tim
At least he got his final wish. Self sacrifice for the greater good of all is a classic story line, and you pulled it off with aplomb. Nice job.
~jon
Thanks! I had an image from some old movie of the tribe throwing a young woman into a volcano and turned it inside out to get a young man jumping into the sea. Glad you like it! ~Tim
The first time i read this, I thought it was a continuation from last week and that alien Fred was marrying Ginger on his alien planet. I thought his dive into the sea was part of the ritual and that he wasn’t necessarily dead. Then I read your link that explained your use of Fred and Ginger. I read it again. Still, a great story. But, I already had it in my head that Fred might not be dead. He is some supernatural creature that is calming the sea with his presence. Anyway, I think it is a sign of good writing and good art that your story is open to interpretation. Excellent!
Thanks so much for such a detailed comment! You have given me an idea for next week’s flash. I hope you’ll come back to check it out. ~Tim
Excellent story! Your link helped explain that they weren’t continuing characters, otherwise I would have been confused. Nice pacing in this.
Thanks! I have an idea that should lead to less confusion. I hope you’ll come back next week and let me know. ~Tim
Interesting take on the sacrifice being male instead of the usual female! And so realistic, his choice for a last wish..lol. Nice one
Thanks! Since that’s pretty much what guys wish for every night, that part wasn’t difficult to work out.
~Tim
I really liked this line: “He reached out his hand and he could feel the blood rushing out of his brain when she interlaced her fingers with his.”
It just speaks volumes about his passionate nature but also his innocence. The whole story was nicely done. It had an otherworldly tribal feel to it. A real departure for you. And a nice surprise for me. Keep em coming.
:0)
Thanks! The clearest images in my head when I wrote this were with that line and the very end. I’m glad you got that much out of it. ~Tim
I’m used to Fred and Ginger being different every week!
Good story this, with a healthy dollop of misdirection
Thanks! I was afraid the end might seem incongruous rather than misdirected. ~Tim
A well told story with real impact. That poor mother… Good work, Tim. Recalled ’300′ for me – the night before the Spartans leave. Very enjoyable!
Cool! If it were even just 1/300th as good as the Spartans that is high praise indeed. Thanks, ~Tim
Short, concise and one heck of a twist. This is my favourite type of story. There are so many ways this could have gone, but I like the path you took. Excellent!
Thanks! This one popped into my head almost whole. ~Tim