Hot flashes of bright blue light streak across the sky above the boat. And just as Simon had known there would be fire, trees on both sides of the river shimmer and crackles with greasy flames, fed by bolts of the blue power from above.
“Below! We must shelter!” hisses his snake companion, but Simon ignores these entreaties, hands gripping the deck ramp as he watches the conflagration that surrounds them. He can feel his lips peeling back in a rictus grin as the memories return. He knew this would happen because he made it happen before. And he knows what comes next.
The second of the three sisters emerges into view. She stands aflame at the bank to his right, marking the end of the woods and the beginning of the desert wastes. She is cackling maniacally over and over, her one single statement:
“When the burning leaves…”
The waters will move.
And here is the ACT ONE Chapter List, with all of the links for Act One.
And here is the ACT TWO Chapter List, with all of the links for Act Two.
Written in five minutes from the writing prompts, "Hot Flash" as part of the #freewrite exercise. Image is by me as well. You can view the prompt here. Be sure to read some other freewrites there, its a hot five minutes that goes by in a flash. Thanks to @mariannewest for creating and managing this production of high temperature illuminations.
Writing and images by Greg McCann, the author of this post and owner of this Hive Channel. To view more of my work, please visit www.fireawaymarmot.com.