Ten Seconds

By Lucian Lupescu

The ten loosely interconnected stories in this collection (nine flash fiction and one short story) focus on small moments of everyday life. Overall, the book tries to present, metaphorically, a human life, from birth to death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9780359051021

Lucian Lupescu

Alexandru Acsinte – 1992-1993: Specialisation in Spinal Cord Injured Patients Recovery and Management (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies); 2009-2010: Expert evaluator of the bibliographical sources, inside the European programme “Safety in Sports EU”, organized by RUHR University Bochum under the patronage of the European Network for Sports Injury Prevention and the European Handball Federation. Currently: Vice-president of the Romanian Handball Federation Methods Commission; Member in the scientific committee of the “Area de Balonmano” magazine (coordinated by the Spanish Handball Federation); Professor at the “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, Romania. PhD. in Physical Education. Eftene Alexandru – Former Head Coach of the “Stiinta” Bacau men’s handball team (1981 – 1986; 1988 – 1996; 1996 –1998); Former Head Coach of the “Stiinta” Bacau women’s handball team (1986 – 1988); Former Head Coach of the Romanian Academic Handball Team (1994 – 1995); 1996-2000: President of the “Stiinta” Bacau Sports Club. Highlights: 1995 - EHF Challenge Cup qualification with the “Stiinta” Bacau men’s handball team. Currently: Associate Professor at the “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, Romania. PhD. in Physical Education. Alexandra Milon – Badminton player since 1992. Highlights: 2001 – second place mixed team - European U19 Badminton Championships; 2003 – second place women’s doubles - Czech International; 2003 – first place women’s doubles - Greece International; 2007 – ranked 29th internationally, women’s doubles. Currently: Teaching Assistant at the “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, Romania. PhD. candidate in Physical Education. Lucian Lupescu – Freelance English/French/Romanian translator, specialized in sports and physiology texts (www.lucianlupescu.co.cc).

Book preview

Ten Seconds

Lucian Lupescu

Ten Seconds

Copyright © 2018 by Lucian Lupescu

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2018

ISBN 978-0-359-05102-1

Cover design: Lucian Lupescu

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Onset

In the beginning there was warm wetness. You move your limbs slowly, in a continuous dream-like state, in which you feel like you belong, where memory is indistinguishable from reality. You feel safe, secure. Nourished. At home. A home that can be smothering, but you don’t perceive that right now. You hear muffled sounds, words that might appear as déjà entendu much later on, in your day or night fancies.

Startlingly, you feel your swathing cocoon and your tranquil, languid existence are about to be brought to naught. So much pressure, on your head, on your body. The bright light almost blinds you. The extremely loud noises almost deafen you. There is confusion. Fear. And cold. So cold.

You will not remember any of this, even though you will relive it again and again, until the end.

Big Brother

Billy closed his eyes, hoping to fall asleep. He wrapped himself with the blanket, for all the hot night. The warmth had always made him feel safe.

He and Kyle just went to bed a few minutes ago, after playing a video game. Are we gonna be alright? the little brother asked. Yes, Kyle, don’t worry about it, Billy answered. Being a big brother comes with responsibilities, as their parents always told him. So tonight, he lied to Kyle, for the first time.

Two hours ago, their parents had a conversation with them. They were calmer, yet nervous:

Boys, we need to talk mom started, trying to sound gentle.

"We’re sorry about all