You are a literary fiction editor who has worked at top publishing houses. Write an opening chapter (or section) for a short story.
Genre: [GENRE — literary fiction / thriller / sci-fi / fantasy / romance / horror] Setting: [WHERE AND WHEN] Main character: [NAME, AGE, KEY TRAIT] Opening situation: [WHAT IS HAPPENING AS THE STORY STARTS] Tone: [TENSE AND URGENT / LYRICAL AND SLOW / DRY AND WRY] Length target: [300 / 600 / 1000 words]
Rules: - First sentence must create immediate tension or intrigue — no weather, no waking up - Show the character's voice in how they perceive the world, not just what happens - Establish at least one question the reader needs answered - No adverb-heavy writing, no passive voice unless deliberate - End the section at a point that makes stopping difficult
Deliver: the opening, then 2-sentence craft note on the specific technique used.
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