© irene waters 2016
“You’ve changed. I’m sick of it. I want you to go.” He spat the words at her before storming from the room.
He’s right, Bee thought. I have changed. Once I had butterflies in my stomach, fireflies in my eyes and crickets in my heart. Now I’m a moth, bordering on insanity as I flit around an external light, my heart crawling with worms, maggots eating my brain. The goodwill that once was is no more. He’s right. It is time to go. We’d both be happier. Some wine, a bottle of pills and oblivion will be mine.
In response to Charli’s 99 Word flash Fiction where she asks:
May 4, 2016 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) include insects in a story. Periwinkles, bees laden with pollen, ants building hills. What can insects add to a story? Do they foreshadow, set a tone, provide a scientific point of interest or a mystical element? Let you inner periwinkles fly!
Respond by May 10, 2016 to be included in the weekly compilation.Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
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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) 
Wow! There’s everything in there! A swarm of reepy crawly, fluttery metaphors ! Love it
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Thanks.Glad you liked it.
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Oh no, I didn’t see the finality of that ending coming, but I don’t think you could have packed more creepy crawlies into a 99-word story if you’d tried. Gave me quite a laugh thinking of all these terms we use. Insects are definitely a part of us. A great take on the prompt. Well done.
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Thanks Norah. Yes there are a number of insect related ones that I just couldn’t get in like ants in her pants, bee’s knees, and she could just have beetled away.99 words can be so limiting sometimes but I love the challenge.
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Powerful imagery! Funny, the impact insects have on us. Some, like butterflies, are admired, while others, like cockroaches are reviled! And some people find them inspiring!
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We certainly use them as metaphors frequently. I think those insects which are pretty are loved whilst prehistoric looking armour plated ugly cockroaches and the drab coloured are disliked. I guess that is human nature although perhaps carrying disease and the ability to hurt may come into it as well.
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What a creative way to employ insects in your flash to show a personality change! It also provides some foreshadowing with the crazed moth, maggots and worms. Really sharp writing, Irene!
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Thank you Charli.
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Simply marvelous!
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Thank you.
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Love this flash Irene. So clever and unique, you had me with the ending. Didn’t see that coming. Punchy and I agree with Charli, wondeful tight, sharp writing! 🙂
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