It burned hot. Flames had reached up to what seemed the moon and stars. She could hear the glass in the windows cracking from the heat of that fire. The children thought it was pretty and watched as it ravaged the only home they knew, not understanding what it meant.
The Fire Department never arrived, she couldn’t pay, not since he left and services were privatized for her part of town.
They watched it burn.
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QBG_Tilted Tiara 
What a horrible experience that would be 😦 I am pleased that this
is just Flash Fiction and not a reality, as that would be too much to
bear…
This is a superb flash Val, it is a sad but gripping one 🙂
Andro xxxx
Ah, but so many imagine this as the perfect strategy for our cities and towns. I just imagine the outcome as Flash Fiction. Terrible indeed, isn’t it.
Val
It is that political ridiculousness, it is everywhere 😦
Andro xxxx
Sorry, I’m so late getting here, Val! But, I love this one. Scary, yes, but wonderful! Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend, my friend.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
It is a harsh promise of a future none of us want but many in positions of power are dreaming of. Sadly
Ah Kathy my visit to you might come sooner than I think. Would you mind a visitor?
They watched it burn.)))
What a scary last sentence. Xxxx LOVE to youuuuu
Lots of scary in this one, isn’t there?
I like the twists as well
Uh-oh, Val. It’s a scary thought privatizing the fire department. It would certainly have a chilling effect. Yikes.
It is, but if some have their way this could be the ultimate outcome.
A good Flash, Valentine, though I am hoping dearly that there is not a single place on earth that the Fire Department is not a community service, that you actually have to pay. It would horrify me if that were so. Tell me, tell me this is fiction.
It is fiction today, but this is a direction some in this nation want to take us. Frightening isn’t it?
Wow, this reminds of a man in SE Asia where I lived who died because the ambulance can’t get down the roads (people do not pull over there).
Some terribles are because human bad behavior, your example is perfect for this. Other terribles are because of human greed run so far out of control it knows no boundary, my flash is this.
Thank you for the comment and stopping in.
Funny that I should get back to this post today, Val. I am heading up north to Maine where we have little vacation house on the sea, the one where my header photo was taken. Last month it spontaneously combusted — burst into flames for no reason. Only the really nice part burned, and the fire department did come. (No one was hurt, no extensive damage, well insured, but a pain in the butt.)
Timing is everything.
Oh Elyse, I am so sorry you lost any part of your vacation home. I am glad no one was hurt and that you have insurance to cover losses and you will be able to rebuild.
Sorry can not follow you on Blogovin as Im not on FB Val 🙂 xxx
No need to be on facebook, just another way to garner followers, another channel.
A sad ‘Flash in the Pan’ Val, And ARE the Fire services private out in the USA? like the Medical, all through insurance ? Here in the UK we each pay through our rates called Council tax..
Of course, in the real world, the Fire Departments would show up – to watch and make sure that the houses of the paying customers don’t catch fire.
This is true, but in the real world how likely is it any of them could pay?
I remember exactly that happened a couple of years ago – someone did not pay the fire insurance, but everyone around their house did. I don’t know how much is that insurance premium, but most likely it’s still more than these people saved on their taxes.
Although there are worse situations, it makes me sad when I hear a family losing their home to a fire. All the family momentos gone. Those fires are a scary thing.
Yo’re hitting it spot on with so few words. Seems like you’re having fun with it.
Fun, yes I think I might be in a somewhat twisted way. But then I am always a bit twisted with Flash.
Twisted is more interesting.
Heartbreaking and horrific because it can be true! Tweeting you now.
Shattered dreams, up in flames. Yet, this is what so many are looking to do without consideration of the terrible consequences. Thanks my friend.
Always Valentine!!!!!
Oh that’s terrible! The ugly side of Capitalism.
The side more and more Ian some want to see come to cities and towns near us here in the great and wonderful nation of ours. It is truly the ugly side of Capitalism.
Interesting, unexpected twist on the word “left”. You’ve got the knack for knocking it out of the park in just a few words.
Thank you Peg, I think sometimes what is in our life, or our hearts might inform our imaginations.
Sad, uncomfortable and right on the mark, unfortunately.
Unfortunate indeed. With the turn of a key, the turning away of compassion our hopes burn to ashes.
I have seen this one happen. Disturbingly accurate masking of reality in assumed fiction.
xxx
I have heard rumors and seen the signs. What is next? We are already so well conditioned to paying for our water and now we are converting back to gravel roads.
This week was the fluoridation of the water. It will be four more days before we can drink any. Ugh. It took me ten years to get off a gravel road, but there are more of them going in now than ever. If the developer will not lay the roadway to the DOT standard, gravel it is. No way DOT would actually facilitate transportation.
Great story Val. This is one of your darker posts. Andro will be so proud. 🙂
I am in a dark place right now Tom. I suppose it reflects in my writing.
Then you are a rainbow in the dark.
Holy Moly. What a flash! In the sky too (that flash). You sure know how to turn up the heat. This is HOT.
Thank you Tess. Yes, those fires seem to flashing upwards don’t they?
🙂
Wow, excellent, but unsettling. Best one yet.
Thank you my friend, I seem to be focused on some of the issues of the day. At least those issues out in the land of lalala
Horrifying in multiple ways …. thus good commentary.
Terrible, yet the potential for truth exists thus frightening on so many levels. Thanks Frank.
Sounds farfetched but not that unlikely to happen.
In our farfetched world of Ayn Rand selfishness is king, it is not strange at all. Where the idea of defunding all public services, turning them over to private organizations for fee based servicing, only those with $$ to pay will not see their house burn to the ground before their eyes.
What a horror! Just like that, in a flash (pun intended). I haven’t been keeping up with this blog, Valentine. For some reason, I hadn’t realized that this was yours! Glad I know now. Will do better. For some reason, I receive your posts only via WP Reader-which I hardly utilize, and not via email.
Excellent use of the prompt. I like that I didn’t know what it was until you revealed it.
No worries my friend. I had a problem with delivery to email for the past few days and finally got it fixed (I hope), I like you rarely use the Reader. Yes, this is mine, I hide out here but I don’t worry about people visiting or not, you do what you can with all the things on your plate and I am simply happy when you can visit.
I am glad you enjoyed this one. I bounce around with our Flashes, from funny to social statements.
Wow That was horrifying.
Yes, it was wasn’t it. I am on a bit of a tear with Right Wing fantasy world views aren’t I?