Every so often, somebody comes up with a line that perfectly describes a situation AND perfectly evokes an emotional response. I’m told this same construction was used to good effect in The Watchmen, but I’ve heard it in other places, including in an episode of Supernatural that Sara and I watched this week.

In the Supernatural episodes, Sam and Dean (the protagonists) are being chased through the woods by the antagonists of the week, who taunt them over a walkie talkie about being trapped with an overwhelming force.

And Dean says the line guaranteed to raise goose flesh:

We’re not trapped out here with you; you’re trapped out here with us.

Yes, I know these one-liners are supposed to be uplifting or funny, but this construction and concept are so perfect that a writer can only take delight in them.

This post is part of Linda G. Hills weekly blog hop, One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner or just like them, follow the link.

A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU: Someone or something is supposed to be trapped, but isn’t.