Day became night (Friday Fictioneers)
They’d been enjoying the early evening sunshine when phones went off as one. Vic Emergency App alerts. Bushfire. Panic took hold as the sky turned black. How could 3pm be as dark as the middle of the night in Summer? The smell of smoke, acrid and faintly eucalyptus, like standing too close to the Christmas BBQ drifted past. First in light wisps, then thicker – choking – suffocating. And the impossible heat.
The screams finally made them run. Not from people, but koalas. Christ… How can this be real? Holding their children close they made for the ocean and held their breath.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read other FF responses here
Word Count: 100
Australia is currently burning and it is devastating in the loss of life, homes, wildlife and bushland. The image above reminds me that many people were on holiday in many of the tourist towns in Victoria, South Australia, Canberra and New South Wales over the new year break. I am currently taking part in the #authorsforfireys auction that is taking place on twitter (closes Sunday). If you would like to donate, jump onto the hashtag and see what’s up for offer. Some amazing manuscript assessments by big publishers, agents and editors, and signed book packs by many authors! The writing community is simply astounding in its generosity!
Details at this link https://authorsforfireys.wixsite.com/website
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Rambles, writing and amusing musings 
It is horrible! is that wildfire under control yet? It really hurts when things like this happen!
Some are now under control but there are still a lot that arent, and more worrying, the wind and hot temps are back tomorrow.
A terrible tragedy. The pictures on the news look terrifying. Best wishes for the new year Laurie.
Thanks Iain. Its pretty scary. But people are pretty amazing sometimes. This tragedy has certainly brought out the best (And worst) in people
Happy New year to you!
I didn’t realise until I saw the picture small how much it looks like the terrible fires we see on the news. I like the way you captured the incomprehension that comes with natural disasters – so much stuff in the wrong place
Yes it’s actually very similar to the beach side caravan parks in that area. The orange glow of the lights like fire in the distance. Scary stuff.
A terrible ongoing nightmare – well described.
Thanks James. It’s pretty scary
Dear Laurie,
So very well described. Some of your best writing in FF, I think. Looking toward Australia and praying for torrential rains.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you so much, Rochelle! Gonna be hot and windy today. Not good. But a cool change this afternoon. Fingers crossed.
Real horror, well described. The loss of human lives, the many dead animals, the loss of old forests… heartbreaking.
It truely is heartbreaking.
Wow, this is so real, brilliant piece on an awful situation
It so is ! Thank you for reading 😊
You described so well the horror of the bushfires. I hope you and yours stay safe, Laurie.
Thank you Brenda, fortunately all my family and friends are safe but it’s so horrible
Laurie, I wish it were fiction. So many in the pathway of harm…
I truely wish it was fiction too. So scary. Luckily all my friends and family and me are all safe.
You’ve brought it alive here, more than BBC News or CNN.
Thank you!
I have to agree with Rochelle, I love how you dealt with this and wrote it. It is heartbreaking to watch.
Thank you so much, Dale. I think writing about it helps me process it. Each day seems just as bad. My town is covered in smoke this morning 😷
I’m sure it does.
So sorry to hear that… must be so scary.
Its certainly unpleasant. Streets are quiet because a lot are staying indoors
With good reason. You don’t want you lungs filled with that.
This is real horror… and how it interrupts the lovely camping night.
Oh it truely is, and the days between Christmas and New Years so pleasant then 31st was hell on earth for some people. What a way to ring in the new year.
Absolutely horrifying. It eats at my psyche!
Scares me too