© irene waters 2015
Griselda bent double, clutching her side under the jet of hot water. It was bad this time and different. Her skin, it felt, was separating from her fat and into the space created a multitude of spiders tunnelled, constructing multiple channels inside her. An agonised moan escaped. Sinking to the floor she crawled to the bath, filling it with hot water then, with difficulty, she lowered herself in. The spiders, not appreciating the heat, joined forces and performed a war dance in her body.
“Help” she screamed, no longer caring if she woke those sleeping. “Get an ambulance.”
This week Charli asks us to:
” let our stories be. January 7, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that describes a moment of being. It can be practical, such as what it’s like to be a traveler on a crowded plane or a working parent trying to get breakfast served. It can be reflective, such as what it’s like to experience prejudice or a pilgrimage. It can be silly, scary or surreal.
Respond by January 13, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here.”
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Oh, my gosh! Irene, this may be an “in the moment”, but I have to know what happened next. (Your character is so fully-fleshed in those 99 words, and her dilemma communicated so thoroughly that I am forced to beg for closure!)
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Okay Pat.You have requested and I will give a 99 word “in the next moment” which I will post tomorrow – just to give you closure, perhaps?
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I could feel those spiders inside me!
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Yuk. I guess it worked then…. 🙂
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This describes a state of being that is horrific! An interesting character development, too that she’s struggling with her condition in the middle of the night, but reaches a tipping point where she cries out to those sleeping. It’s a sad, but true reality for many who suffer with chronic conditions and don’t want to disturb those around them.
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Yes I think many delay because they don’t want to disturb others.
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Oh no – I just read this, right before bedtime. Wow, you are certainly graphic. I’ll have to keep the light on if I want to sleep without nightmares – spiders don’t like light.
That poor woman – Griselda. Wow – you’re good, Irene!
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Thank you so much Sharon. Sorry if I disrupted your sleep and hope you had a good night. Better than Griselda anyway.
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What a great description of being spooked by our bodies – hope the ambulance got to her time!
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A second 99 word flash today will answer that question Anne. Thanks.
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Gah! Why? Why would you do this?! With the picture and the flash… *shudders* Evil.
Good flash, though. 😉
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I was being in the moment….. Thanks Sarah. 🙂
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Your imagination obviously wanted to be let loose æons ago, Irene ! 🙂
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I think it was my third grade teacher who squashed it out of me when we were given a composition topic Mud. I wrote about a puppy called Mud and was chastised and humiliated in front of the class and told to write on the subject given. You’re about to be subjected to years of creative repression. 👿
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Damned fine – go for it ! 😀
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Pingback: 99 Word Flash Fiction: In the Next moment | Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)
Very creepy! That a moment I definitely don’t want to be in!
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Me too.
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This is very, very scary…what panic can do when illness strikes so that any fears of waking up the household diminishes in the face of this very real and horrific fear. A horrible moment, and so well described. Great flash my friend 🙂
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Thanks Sherri. I don’t think any of us want to be in this moment.
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incredible imaging! Wow!
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Thanks very much Joy. I’m glad you said that as I’m planning on using it as the opening to a paper I am giving on body and I’ve been a bit nervous about using it. You’ve given me heart.
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Oh good. I’m glad to hear that. 🙂
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