So, it's Find the Story Friday. And guess what? You're actually going to find a story here on Friday! I'm participating in Ali Cross's Independence Day Flash Fiction. (click the link to check out other contestants, please!) The challenge was to create a piece of flash fiction @ 250 words or less, with the prompt: It's Independence day and something unexpected happens...
Here's my very thrown together attempt...(warning!! Major suckage may follow...except for the picture, it's kind of cool...):
I'd watched fireworks in the park on the 4th of July for a long as I can remember. There were events that my family was absolutely required to do on certain holidays. And we never strayed far from home. Today marked the first time I'd spent the 4th away from home.
But, the fireworks show I was about to see was set up in the most picturesque spot. My feet dipped naked in a warm mineral pool. Pines and the tall, snow-capped Rockies flanked me on every side. As the sun dipped low, the lush greens turned a darker shade and torches lit up the perimeter of the resort. The air was a plethora of smell - fresh rain, leaves, smoky wood, pine, and sunblock. As the sky darkened, we heard the boom that signaled the "show" was about to begin.
The sky exploded in a rainbow of color and lit the tips of the trees with their various hues. The pool reflected colorful zigs and zags, spirals, spider-webs of light.
"It's stunning," I whispered to my husband.
So in awe were we that I didn't hear the screams until my back felt like it was on fire. The bear took another swipe at me, but my husband hauled me away. My body went limp in his arms and I marveled at the blood dripping down my arm and how it matched the color of the last firework exactly. (239 words)
******
Ok, now it's your turn. I took this pic at the GORGEOUS Lake Louise in Banff National Park in (crap, can't remember if it's in B.C. or Alberta...the border's close, at any rate...).
Tell me how it make you feel?
Stunningly gorgeous, right??? :) And certainly inspiring. I hope it's inspired you today, and that you share a little of that inspiration with me in the comments.
And I hope you all have a FABULOUS weekend!! :)
16 comments:
Wow, that was unexpected!
Darn you, that startled the crap outta me! It was all serene and lovely, and then you had to throw in the bear??? Well done :)
Banff is in Alberta--I took a summer trip to backpack the Canadian Rockies in high school and Lake Louise was a sidetrip highlight. The hotel had a man with a long bugle thing--he looked just like the guy from the Ricola throat lozenge commercials- lederhosen and all!
Nicely done! And Wow, that picture is incredible. I could seriously stare at it all day.
*gasp* That's gruesome! But very unexpected. Good job.
*shocked*
Didn't expect that ending at all! You had me wishing I was right there with your character with all the lovely imagery. You especially tantalized my sense of smell with this line - The air was a plethora of smell - fresh rain, leaves, smoky wood, pine, and sunblock.
But the ending was fantastic! Funny in a morbid way ;)
Did not see that coming!
Boy, I didn't know fourth of July could be so scary. This is a creative approach! Nice job.
I knew watching all those shows about when-bears-attack would help someday, somehow. great story, and it caught me off guard.
Banff is in Alberta. It is gorgeous. We visited Waterton National Park this summer a little further south right next to Glacier National Park(on the Montana side) There was still snow. We didn't see any bears this year, but last year we saw a couple of grizzlies.
Your story is a little too close to home for me, my uncle is a doctor in Cardston and he stiches up folks who get attacked.
I love the last line about how the red in the blood and the firework match. Eerie.
Definitely unexpected. Nicely done.
Wow, that picture is stunning!
The fiction was great too! Is that a real place? I'd love to go there, sounds perfect!
And yeah. I'd say getting mauled by a bear is a little unexpected ;) WTG to the hubby for rescuing her!
Poor girl! Loved the rich details and that lake picture is gorgeous - makes me feel all calm. :)
That was a great twist, you got me!
Have a great weekend too.
Terrific Flash fiction...
Donea that pic is absolutely GORGEOUS!
It's been too long. How are you? Haven't seen you around lately.
Enjoy your weekend too.
You are right, Sis- that totally sucked.......HA HA HA, J/K! I really liked it. Hey, if you are really getting back into blogging are you going to start doing mood munchies? Cause I have an AWESOME munchy(ie???) you can use. :)
For those of you who read this- I really am Donea's sister. So I really was just kidding, just so you know. :o)
Word of the day: SO.
WHOA. You did a great job of incorporating the "unexpected" in there! I love the line about her blood matching the color of the last firework.
The photo is amazing - it makes me feel so serene. Thanks for posting.
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