Mini Story

Los Angeles

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our gracious host, Rochelle, at Friday Fictioneers
encourages us to be creative by writing a story in 
100 words or less using the photo shown below.
 Here’s where the photo prompt took me.

© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

She floated in the pool, mesmerized by the crimson sky bleeding across the horizon. She sipped her merlot, feeling her body relax. What a perfect evening. The water reflected fire-orange light as she closed her eyes, peaceful.

Then the smell.

Her eyes snapped open. Not sunset. Wrong direction. Too bright. The mountains disappeared behind thick smoke rolling toward her like a wave. Ash began falling, gray snow on turquoise water.

She scrambled out, dripping, heart hammering. The radio crackled from inside: “Mandatory evacuations…”

The beauty was gone, replaced by the horror of everything she owned, her life, burning. She ran.


NAR©2025
100 Words

This is “Fire In The Sky” by Ozzy Osbourne

14 November 2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

49 thoughts on “Los Angeles”

  2. Dear Nancy,

    We watched the news in horror, with prayers for our son and his family in LA. Thankfully they were just far enough away to remain unscathed.

    I echo the others who said brilliant write. From ecstasy to hell in one swell foop.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh, Rochelle! What an absolute nightmare for you and your husband. I can’t imagine how terrifying it was for you knowing your son and his family are out there. Thank goodness they are safe. One shift in the wind and things could have been very different.

      Thank you for your gracious comments. I saw the prompt photo and the story came to me in an instant. It’s a highly evocative and provocative image.

      Shalom

      🕊️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. To me, a fire like that is one of the scariest things. You descried the moment of realization so well. She can be glad to get out alive…

    So many fires, in Canada too, and Southern Europe, and everywhere, and always more.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Gabi, I’m with you 100%! There aren’t too many things I’m afraid of but fire is on the top of the list. I can remember not too long ago there were fires in Canada; we could smell them and feel the smoke in our throats here in New York. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate your comments.

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  16. What a fantastic write, my friend. You went from bliss to horror in the sip of a glass. What a horrible thing to make one snap to reality! A sad reality for those living in that area, too.

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