Friday Quick Fic - Incipient

I just wrote this, so please forgive any typos. Next time, I will try better to get this written ahead of time so I can give it a little editing before publishing.

Incipient

1. in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop.
2. (of a person) developing into a specified type or role.

[late 16th century (as a noun denoting a beginner): from Latinincipient- ‘undertaking, beginning,’ from the verb incipere, fromin- ‘into, toward’ + capere ‘take.’]

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The paper floated gently in the chemicals. I carefully prodded it with some tongs, as if that would make the process go faster. Slowly, the image formed. My heart crawled up my throat as I watched the white turn into swirling colors and a figure took shape. Hands shaking, I lifted the photograph out of the chemicals. I could barely believe my eyes.

For months, I caught glimpses of an incipient figure in the cover of my eye. No one believed me. They laughed and said it was my imagination. Here was my proof. My worst nightmares, a reality.