Fade to Grey by Kristin Lennox

The painting mocked her. It used to be her proudest piece: Sunset over the Mojave, with glorious violet-oranges streaking the sky.

Now, leaden rays radiated from a charcoal sun, in a granite sky, over an ashen desert.

Progressive achromatopsia, the doctor said. Irreversible. Six months, and all the colour had drained from Clara’s life.

Raging, she stabbed the canvas with her palette knife repeatedly, puncturing the grey abomination — and slicing her hand in the frenzy. She winced, examining the wound, then gasped.

Blood pooled in her palm. Brilliant and ruby red.

Clara dipped her brush, eager to resurrect the sunset.