Team Ahimsa Blog Relay, Various Contests

“Time is running out.”

299 WORDS
For "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 

"This is exciting!"

"Stop saying it's exciting. Let's get to work."

Ekta was right. It was time they got to work. After all, it's not often that teachers trust 10-year-olds with the production of a play all by themselves. They had to prove they could do it.

"Now," said Ekta, taking charge. She was class leader and she got to direct the play. "I'll be Cinderella, of course."

There were a few mutters, but nobody argued a loud.

"Once upon a time ..." Ekta began. Then she stopped.

"We need Time," she said.

"Time for what?" Akash asked.

"No, Time. Time is a character and someone needs to stand on him. It says Once Upon A Time."

"I'll be Time," Shyam volunteered, thinking it would be nice to have someone on him. He could threaten to toss them if they didn't do what he said.

"Okay, Shyam is Time. Now we need a step-mother. Neepa, you be the wicked step-mother."

"Why me?"

"Because you are the tallest. We need someone shorter than you for the ugly sisters. Meher and Denaz, you be the ugly sisters."

"We're not ugly."

"We can put make up to make you ugly. Shyam, why are you raising your hand?"

"I need to go to the bathroom."

"Wait till the bell rings."

"I can't."

"You shouldn't have drunk so much lemonade," Akash remarked.

"Listen, I need to go to the bathroom," Shyam insisted, but Ekta ignored him and went on.

"We need someone who looks old for the Fairy Godmother. Sakina, you be the Fairy Godmother."

There was a disturbance. Shyam had pushed aside the people next to him and was rushing for the door.

"What's happening?" Ekta asked, looking up from the diary she'd been noting characters down in.

Akash replied, “Time is running out.”