Maris woke with a start. What had alerted her; a noise, a smell but it didn’t matter, she had to move quickly.
Tears ran down her face from her smarting eyes and wheezing, her chest heaving with each breath of thick air, she slid to the floor and crawled on her belly hoping she wasn’t disoriented and the door was in the direction she was going.
On the verge of collapse she felt hands lifting her, into the air, over a shoulder.
Fresh air assaulted her and hungrily she drank it in.
From the position she lay on the grass she stared at the blackened remains of her house thinking ‘better a new start than a dead start.’
In response to Zoe’s prompt start for six line stories.
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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) 
well written Irene, I used to love 6 word stories, first I’ve heard of 6 sentence stories!
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In blog land you can get anything. I doubt Hemmingway had any idea what he set in motion when he wrote his six word story.
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I have had hours of in depth conversation on TED with six word stories! Amazing how much better at expressing oneself when you only have six words to do it in ..
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That would have been a challenge. How was that run?
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TED conversations were amazing, instant chatting and a huge range of topics … then they just shut it down?!?
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What a pity. That sounds like a great way to have a conversation.
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I was very active there for some years it was a great group! Now in NSW, yeh!
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Glad you made it and if your weather was like ours it wasn’t too hot for it. Enjoy your new home.
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I will indeed, thanks Irene 🙂
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Yes, I think this is the way it is, and this is what people feel when they’ve escaped an inferno.
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I hope I never experience one.
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Me too, though I was once in a burning house.
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I think you may have mentioned that many moons ago but my memory is vague – another problem with age.
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Very vivid description, Irene.
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Thanks Robbie. One I hope never have to test in person.
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A helluva way to start your day but she’s right to be thankful. Well written.
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Thanks D. Yes not a good start but at least she can see the bright side.
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I wonder what a rush of euphoria that must be at such a seemingly odd time, right after a catastrophe, but she’s absolutely right.
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I don’t know never having been in that position thank heavens but I think initially you’d be glad just to be alive. The days following I’m sure will be a different story as the loss sinks in.
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It could have been worse. Brilliant take Irene.
Click to read my SSS!
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Thanks Keith
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Chilling! There was a house fire here yesterday, and the occupants were not so blessed.
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Oh gosh that is dreadful. Poor people.
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waking up to those conditions (of a fire), bad, in the dead, dark of night? even worse.
engaging Six, yo
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Thanks Clark. I think it would be terrifying at any time. She is lucky she woke.
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Well done! Very vivid writing. What an emotional escape. So many range of emotions!
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Thank you very much. Glad it was vivid – that was my aim so you’ve made me happy.
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