Dance With Fire

Written for Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction
Challenge using the photo below for our
inspiration. Also for FOWC With Fandango
and the word “conjure”. Here’s my take.

She conjures fire the old way …. no tricks, no mirrors.

Just fuel, faith, and the particular madness of someone who has stared into flames long enough to no longer be afraid.

The crowd gathers the way crowds always do: slowly, then all at once.

Behind her, the carnival breathes its hot, sweet breath …. fried sugar dough, taffy, cotton candy …. and the carefree laughter of strangers mingles in the night air.

She raises the torch and the night cracks open.

Time stands still and not one person speaks. Nobody checks their phone, nobody wants to be anywhere else on earth except here.

NAR©2025

This is “Fire Dance” by Rainbow

Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #367

FOWC With Fandango — Conjure

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thank you for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}