The Look That Shattered His Hubris | ZAPFIC MONDAY (Week of 8/4/25) | Prompt: smash (aplastar)

in Freewriters2 days ago

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Normally, individuals attempt to preserve that which they believe is valuable or may someday be useful. If not, then destroying an item, perception, or aspiration may be suitable. This is especially true if the item that no longer holds value is shattered by the revelation it's no longer feasible to hold on to. This week's ZAPFIC Monday challenge centers around the prompt "smash" and presented the opportunity to explore a concept or illusion lost.

The ZAPFICMonday challenge was created by @felt.buzz and consists of a story told in 240 characters or less. If you're interested, visit the current challenge post: #ZapFicMonday: ZapFic240! The "Original" ZapFic: Write a story using 240 characters OR less! Plus RESULTS from Last Week's ZapFic50 Contest!.

My story is below:

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Coldness pervaded the crowded courtroom as prosecutors presented the case.

Manuel scoured the jury box, shooting darts at each.

Juror #4 glared back, eyes as cold as the lifeless body shown on exhibits.

Shattered was his illusion of power.

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Source

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Normalmente, las personas intentan conservar aquello que consideran valioso o que algún día podría serles útil. Si no es así, puede ser conveniente destruir un objeto, una percepción o una aspiración. Esto es especialmente cierto si el objeto que ya no tiene valor se rompe al revelarse que ya no es viable conservarlo. El desafío ZAPFIC Monday de esta semana se centra en la palabra «romper» y ofrece la oportunidad de explorar un concepto o una ilusión perdidos.

El reto ZAPFICMonday fue creado por @felt.buzz y consiste en una historia contada en 240 caracteres o menos. Si te interesa, visita el post del reto actual: #ZapFicMonday: ZapFic240! The "Original" ZapFic: Write a story using 240 characters OR less! Plus RESULTS from Last Week's ZapFic50 Contest!.

Mi historia está abajo:

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La mirada que destrozó su arrogancia

El frío invadió la abarrotada sala del tribunal mientras los fiscales presentaban el caso.

Manuel escudriñó el banco del jurado, lanzando miradas fulminantes a cada uno de ellos.

El jurado n.º 4 le devolvió la mirada, con ojos tan fríos como el cuerpo sin vida que se mostraba en las pruebas.

Su ilusión de poder se había hecho añicos.

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Source

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I leave here the screenshot evidencing the 240-character limit for my story for ZAPFIC Monday (week of 8/4/25):

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RULES:
  • Post to the Freewriters Community.

  • Use one or more of the tags: #zapfic; #zapficmonday; #zapfic240.

  • Please use a word/character counter (if you search for word counter on the internet or in your phone's app store you will get a big choice!) word counter.net and include a screenshot. This makes it easier for you and @felt.buzz!

  • Use the prompt provided as you see fit (use your imagination)

  • You have 3 days (until Thursday 23h59 GMT) to post a Zapfic (a story written in 240 characters or less) using the prompt given.

  • Try to tell a complete story if you can!

  • The story should only be 240 characters long (including spaces)

NORMAS:
  • Postear en la comunidad de Freewriters.

  • Utiliza una o varias de las etiquetas #zapfic; #zapficmonday; #zapfic240

  • Por favor, utiliza un contador de palabras/caracteres (¡si buscas contador de palabras en internet o en la tienda de aplicaciones de tu teléfono tendrás una gran selección!) wordcounter.net e incluye una captura de pantalla. Así será más fácil para ti y para @feltbuzz.

  • Utiliza el texto como mejor te parezca (usa tu imaginación).

  • Dispones de 3 días (hasta el jueves a las 23h59 GMT) para publicar un Zapfic (una historia escrita en 240 caracteres o menos) utilizando el tema propuesto.

  • Intenta contar una historia completa si puedes.

  • La historia debe tener sólo 240 caracteres (espacios incluidos).

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Good luck everyone with whatever your endeavors.

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SUPPORTS THESE COMMUNITIES:

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SOURCES:
a) JustClickindiva's Footer created in Canva utilizing its free background and images used with permission from discord admins.
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet, (ii) Samsung Phone, & (iii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Community logos, banners, page dividers used with permission of Discord Channel admins.
e) Ladies of Hive banner used with permission of and in accordance with the admin's guidelines
f) Thumbnail Image created by me in Canva.
g) "Flames." What is Apophysis 2.09. https://flam3.com/

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English is my native language.
If translation included, I use DeepL to assist my readers.
Thanks for your patience an understanding
.

El inglés es mi lengua materna.
Si se incluye traducción, utilizo DeepL para ayudar a mis lectores.
Gracias por su paciencia y comprensión.

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It's just like that. There are some things that we keep with us. Just like gold, people used to think that a pint would be worth a lot, and today we have seen that day with our own eyes.

You are correct @djbravo. Many items long ago we treasured have lost their value in some respect. Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate it. Take care.

It shows that Juror #4 sees right through him, no sympathy, no doubt. It’s like a silent judgment that strips away whatever power or control he thought he had left.

Judgement indeed without a word spoken. He found out that the tactic didn't work. Intimidating anyone in the courtroom, especially witnesses and jurors can bring harsh consequences. A brave soul to return the stare and send a message.

Thanks for your visit and insight. I appreciate it. Take care.

!LADY

I think that juror#4 has experienced that tactic many times to the point that it didn't bother him/her as much as a lifeless body would do. Lesson learned—don't underestimate people, or else you'll be humbled in no time.

Nice writeup!

Yes, he was humbled indeed. I'm pretty sure his heart skipped a beat at the thought that she took away his power at that moment. Overconfidence can be a detriment in some cases. Thanks for your visit and lovely compliment for my story. I appreciate it. Take care.

!LADY

!BEER


Hey @justclickindiva, here is a little bit of BEER from @pixresteemer for you. Enjoy it!

If you like BEER and want to support us please consider voting @louis.witness on HIVE and on HIVE Engine.