Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you are all keeping warm. The temperature in S. Florida is 55º F and it’s midday and the sun is blazing! 😮 To us, Floridians that’s like -10º F, anywhere else. Ironically, today’s prompt words from Ronovan Writes are Singe and Deep. Just reading the word singe warms me a little, but it also gives me an eerie feeling. With that being said, here’s my contribution for this week’s prompt challenge.
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“The house is on fire, and it isn’t my fault.” Emily crossed her thin arms as she stared at the burning house. She stood wide-eyed with red lips pursed.
The young female police officer in charged of her, observed her for a while. “Are you okay? I know this is a terrible experience for a ten year old girl to go through.”
The little girl didn’t look her way. She blinked a long blink and gave her a one shoulder shrug. Then she nodded her head ‘yes’, but said, “No, I don’t think so.”
The policewoman tilted her head and furrowed her brow. “I’m sorry, I know it’s got to be so hard for you. You can rest assured that the fireman are doing everything in their power to rescue your mother from the fire.”
Emily pressed her lips together, narrowed her deep-set chocolate brown eyes and then gazed at her like a puppy dog. “I left my scrunchy and my favorite teddy bear in the house. Do you think they’re burning right now?”
The policewoman stared at her and narrowed her eyes. She rubbed the nape of her neck and squatted down to be at eye level with the girl. She took Emily by the shoulders and turned her, so that they faced each other. “I think you should come with me. I can take you to the hospital where you can be properly looked after. You shouldn’t be here.”
Emily frowned and wrested her shoulders from her. She turned away and continued to stare at the house engulfed in flames. “Once I had a pet hamster. He accidentally walked into our fireplace. He made the strangest sounds as he burned––it was a he and his name was Agamemnon. Do you know how long it took me to learn that name? I was only six then, but that’s the name my mother wanted to give him. She couldn’t even let me name my own pet.” She grumbled the last sentence. “I would have named him, Apple, because he was round and had red hair like mine.” Her alabaster skin flushed making her freckles appear darker. She lowered her eyebrows and squinted her eyes. “Agamemnon died quickly and stunk up the whole house!” She turned to look at the officer. “Do you think my mom will stink like that, as she burns?”
The woman jumped to a stand and looked at the girl with a shocked expression.
Emily turned her sight to the burning house again. “I’m sure it will take much longer for my mother to die, because she’s bigger. She may stink up the whole block.” She crinkled her pixie-like nose.
“Come with me.” The officer took her by the hand and pulled her toward her squad car.
“No!” Emily screamed. “I want to stay here! I want to see.” She wore a hostile facial expression. She pulled her hand from the woman’s hand and took a few steps closer to the house. Her small chest heaved with every breath. She raised her chin and shoved her hands in the front pockets of her jeans.
The policewoman’s eyebrows bumped together in a worried scowl. She minced her way up to her and stood silently by her side. Her eyes were fixed on the girl and squinted in a furtive manner.
A fireman covered in soot and coughing approached the police officer. He took off his fireman hat and ran his hands through his hair. His face was black with residue from the intense fire, but his agonized expression was clearly seen. He gave Emily a grim look before turning to the officer again. He shook his head. “We did everything we could, but we couldn’t save her.” He lowered his voice some more and moved closer to the policewoman. “The fire got to her before the smoke. She burned to death. It was a gruesome sight.” He turned to Emily who was staring in their direction. “I’m sorry, kid.” He gestured goodbye to the officer and hurried away.
The policewoman wrapped her arms around her body. Her breaths were shallow and rapid. “I’m so sorry, Emily. The firemen did everything they could, but––”
“I know!” Emily interrupted her. “I heard everything the fireman said, even when he whispered.”
The police officer stared at the little girl with eyes glistening with pity, but her expression quickly turned to shock.
A grin spread slowly across Emily’s face, moving all her freckles.
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After the first death
there is no other, you see.
Fire is complete
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“Too many logs can squelch a fire. Flames need room to breathe.”
~Vashti Q
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Singe and Deep are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
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Enjoy your day and stay warm!
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Creepy.
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Ha, ha. Is that good or bad?
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Very good.
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Thank you, Craig! 😀 xx
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Yeek. Well done, Vashti.
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Did I scare you, John? He, he. Thank you, my friend. 😉 xx
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Yes you did. I have met kids like that.
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😮 Sorry to hear that. Those are some scary kids and I hate to think about what they may grow up to be someday.
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True. Some grow up to be Presidents. 😀
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John! I was having a snack when I read your reply and almost choked on my green apple and peanut butter! Ah, ha, ha! You’re hilarious! 😛
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Thanks, Vashti. Green apple and peanut butter sounds great.
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It’s a great energizing snack and it’s scrumptious. If you haven’t tried it, I recommend you do. 😀
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😀
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SPOO-KAY! Got such chills… Fine job! Have you ever seen the movie, The Bad Seed, with Patty McCormick? Watch that and enjoy.
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Hi Annette! No I haven’t. I’ll look it up. I’m guessing there’s an evil little girl in it? Thank you! ❤
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Smile! I’m taking your pic! ♥
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Ha, ha! Caught in the act! 😉 ❤
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Interesting little girl, could go far in print
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She’s got quite an expression on her face. It gave me goosebumps. Thanks, Bobby! 😀
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Wooo-hoo! Awesome piece. The photo is everything!
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That photo inspired the story. It’s a great one. Thank you very much, my friend. 😀 xx
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I agree. Very creepy. Happy weekend, Vashti.
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Ha, ha. The picture creeped me out. It inspired the story. Thank you, Olga! Hugs & Kisses!
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Yikes! 😲 Great story
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I’m happy you read and liked it, Duke! Thank you! 😀
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Well, it made sense once we learned Emily was a ging lol. *high fives Emily* Way to earn that freckle! 😀 I loved it, V! Creepy and devilish, just the way I like them.
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Ha, ha! Kester, you’re too much! I love that you loved it! 😀 ❤
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Reblogged this on The Angry Scribbler and commented:
Another creepy offering from our friend Vashti Quiroz-Vega. Give it a read and enjoy the devilish side of this awesome writer! 😀
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Thanks for the reblog, Kester! ❤
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deliciously dark indeed
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Thank you very much, Michael. 😀
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Wonderfully creepy… children are such a great source for horror (often in my life in other ways too!)
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Aren’t they, though? Ha, ha! You crack me up, Al. Thank you! 😀 xx
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Well done, Vashti. The picture and the accompanying story are creepy and bone-chilling. Great writing!
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Hi Gwen! Thank you! The picture inspired the story. It’s a good one. ❤
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I loved it Vashti, very well written…the slow revelation made it so gripping. I like the way you make dark fiction look awesome.
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Thank you, Balroop! That’s an awesome compliment! You just made my weekend! ❤ xx
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Greatly done and well composed!!
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Thank you, Mino. You’re very kind. 🙂
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Makings for a new book perhaps? Spooky, yet so engaging Vashti! ❤ xx
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Hi Debby! I’m working on two books this year, possibly three depending on how things go. Engaging is always a good thing. Thank you, my friend. 😀 ❤ xx
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Wow! You go girl! 🙂 ❤
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Wow. Good, good writing, Vashti. I love the dark stuff!
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Thank you very much! I’m happy you enjoyed it. 😀 Have a great weekend!
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