Seeing the steep drops close to the edge of the winding road my body tensed and my heart started to thump as though I’d just run a marathon. The now snake-like dirt road , punctuated with tight hairpin bends that dropped away on either side of us, narrowed even further. My gut constricted. Panic became a restrictive vest around my chest. Clutching the seat belt my knuckles whitened. Uncontrollably I screamed. Jake pulled into a siding.
“What a view.” Grabbing his camera he headed across the road.
“No, don’t leave me,” I screamed, “What will I do if you die?”
The prompt from Carrot Ranch for this week: May 14, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that answers the question, “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you are in absolute danger?” Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by May 19, 2020. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form. Rules & Guidelines.
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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) 
Nothing more frightening than those hairpin curves – not worth a good picture!
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Absolutely. Glad you understand.
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First, I cried just because I was beside myself to see a 99-word flash from you. Then, I cried because it reminded me what you have been through and how real the fear of loss is. Then, I laughed, because you always manage a wry twist of dark humor and I saw that in the contrast of the terrified rider and the oblivious driver.
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Thank you Charli. A perfect analysis. It was good to get back in the saddle. It really has been far too long.
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gripping – and felt the thumping in the chest
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Great. Thank you
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That better be a damn good photo.
Good to see you around, Irene. I’ve just started back up playing at the Ranch, too. Hope you’re doing well. ❤
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When the time is right its nice to play. Nice to see you Sarah. Look forward to reading more from you.
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