Water sputters across roof tops from garden sprinklers. Taps open wide. Smoke bellows over the ridge. Flames crowning tree pushed by the fire’s own weather system. Retreat choices are gone. The argument to stay, to fight for my livelihood, my life, lost. I hear the helicopter coming to extract me from this hell I didn’t ask for. Tears splash through grime on my face and I wipe my nose on my sleeve, not giving a damn who sees the raw emotion. Sniffing, I take one last look, before the chopper dips, retreating towards the other end of the valley.
The summer of 2017 saw wildfires descend upon the land Steve once knew as home. This picture, taken by his daughter Kate, does not begin to show the devastation that ensued. They had moved their stock and did what they could before having to leave. They were able to leave by road. As the fire progressed, flames became visible along the top of this ridge above their place, taking bites out of some stands of trees. Thanks to the dedication of the fire crews and the wind shifting, they did not have any loss. Using some of their experiences, I have taken liberties with their story to create my fictional story.
| Ann Edall-Robson Author, Photographer, Lover of Life "Capturing moments others may never get to experience.” to edit. | Be the first to get all our latest news and updates. |
May 2, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about extraction. What is being extracted and from where? Is it an idea? How does genre change the perspective (sci-fi versus romance)? Go where the prompt leads!
#AnnEdallRobson #FromWhereICome #99Words #FlashFiction #farmerslife #ranchtradition #ranchlife #wildfire #lovefortheland #fightingforyoulivlihood #fireweathersystem #thankafarmer #thankarancher #storiesofthepast #thewindshift #CapturingMomentsOthersMayNeverGetToExperience #CozyMysteries #cookbooks #PromptWriting #WesternHeritage #TheOldWays #RanchCulture #BeginningToEnd #RuralLiving #WhoaBackUpStop #AnnEdallRobsonPhotography
RSS Feed