January 2025 Flash Fiction Winner: Fresh
The Baby Breaths of a New Chapter
By Helani Munidasa
She walked through the open cabin door and was embraced by the baby breaths of the new year in Melbourne. The air was cold and strong, it allowed her short blue hair to dance frantically behind her under the gloomy grey sky. She smiled. This was summer in Melbourne; this was home. As she climbed down the boarding stairs, step after shivering step, she envisioned all the glorious things she was to make happen this year. The new year cannot change certain things, like Melbourne summers. But her new chapter was kaleidoscopic, and she held complete authority to write it.
Helani, or preferably Lani, originally from Sri Lanka, is a student at the University of Melbourne, starting a Master of Creative Writing, Editing and Publishing this year. “I enjoy writing fiction, making playlists, and reading in my free time.”
Our monthly Flash Fiction contest is co-hosted with Melbourne writing collective, The Provocative Inklings. This contest is free to enter, and writers of all ages, from anywhere in the world, are invited to submit! Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date.
