magisternihil's 100-word story for May 24, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on May 24, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

Johnson glanced behind him. A line of sweaty, filthy faces either stared back or watched their feet, likely thinking “one two one two” like he taught them. They were his loyal men, his followers. They counted on him, depended on his every decision. He felt a swell of pride in his chest at the idea that they had trusted him to lead them to the new city. He remembered when he gave his rallying speech before they left. He thought back to the cheers that had erupted. That memory gave him strength. If only he wasn’t so completely, insurmountably lost.

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