Her Name in the Book - By Sabiha Atturkhan

Written By: Sabiha Atturkhan

Category: Flash Fiction

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of creative storytelling, Sabiha Atturkhan presents "Her Name in the Book," a compelling piece of flash fiction featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This work reflects on themes of legacy, transformation, and the enduring strength of women across generations. With a narrative that spans four centuries, Atturkhan weaves a tapestry of familial bonds and mystical heritage, inviting readers to explore the profound connection between past and present.

About the Work

"Her Name in the Book" is a nuanced exploration of lineage and self-discovery. Sabiha Atturkhan crafts a vivid narrative through the eyes of a young girl, Heaven, who stands at the crossroads of her family's storied past and her own burgeoning identity. The piece is imbued with rich imagery and a sense of timelessness, highlighting both the burden and the gift of heritage. The mood is contemplative, yet hopeful, as Heaven acknowledges the legacy left by her ancestors and her role in continuing their story.

Her Name in the Book

Original Submission by Sabiha Atturkhan

HER NAME IN THE BOOK

Flash Fiction

by Sabiha Atturkhan

— ✶ —

The list goes back four hundred years.

Heaven reads it slowly, the way you read something you are not sure you deserve. Each name a woman. Each woman a date, a brief description, a handful of sentences that somehow hold an entire life.

Marguerite Marshall, 1623–1689. Kept her wolf caged for sixty-six years. Died refusing to turn. The blood remembers her restraint.

Cécile Marshall-Fontaine, 1744–1801. First of us to survive the vampire’s full emergence. Mapped its limits. Mapped its hungers. What she learned, we carry.

Rebekah Marshall, 1889–1942. Ran with the original pack for twelve years before the war scattered them. Understood that the wolf and the vampire are not enemies — they are two languages for the same body. What she ran toward, we are still becoming.

Hayley Marshall, 1994–2010. Mother of the first tribrid. What I couldn’t carry, I gave to her. What I couldn’t finish, she will.

Heaven sets the grimoire down. Picks it up again. Sets it down.

She is eleven years old and she is the end of a line and the beginning of one and she does not have words for what that means yet.

She picks up her quill.

The blank space beneath her mother’s entry waits. It has always been waiting. Her mother left it there on purpose — the gap after she will, which means: there is room for you here. There has always been room for you here.

Heaven Marshall Snape, she writes. Her hand does not shake. She is surprised.

1999 — present.

She stops.

What does she write? Marguerite had her restraint. Cécile had her maps. Rebekah had her understanding. Hayley had her sacrifice.

What does Heaven have?

She looks at the blank page. At the four hundred years of women above her name, all of them carrying something the world had no word for, all of them finding a way to carry it anyway.

She writes: First tribrid. Beginning.

And then, because she is eleven and she has just understood something that will take her years to fully feel, she adds one more word.

Heaven Marshall Snape, 1999 — present. First tribrid. Beginning. Continuing.

She sets down the quill.

In the dark behind her ribs, something ancient turns over in its sleep.

It does not open its eyes.

But it smiles.

— ✶ —

Category: Flash Fiction

Author: Sabiha Atturkhan

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform that celebrates diverse voices in literature. It invites writers from around the world to share their unique perspectives and creative expressions. The competition seeks to uncover new talent and provide a stage for writers to engage with a global audience, fostering a community of literary excellence.

We extend our gratitude to Sabiha Atturkhan for her contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with her flash fiction, "Her Name in the Book." Her storytelling captures the imagination and resonates with the readers, offering a poignant reflection on legacy and identity. We look forward to seeing more of her inspiring work in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.