Flash Fiction Blogfest

Today I am participating in Cherie Reich's Flash Fiction Blogfest.  This is the first time I have done anything like this, so constructive criticism is appreciated.


The rules are that our entry must start with Lightning Flashed and be under 300 words.  I never realized how difficult that would be until I started writing!

Lightning flashed and Andi knew the rain would follow soon.  The fog coming off the river already made it impossible to see in front of her.  Although she had been on this river many times, this was the first time that she wasn’t with her more experienced friends.  The roar of the whitewater was a far cry from the springs that she was used to paddling.  Maybe this was a mistake.

 As she rounded the corner Andi saw a huge rock and realized that she was headed straight towards it.  Thoughts flashed in her mind of her past trips down the river when she was told to be careful of this particular rock.  At the time, she thought, “Well of course I will avoid the rock”.  Today as the rain began to fall, there was no way she could avoid it.

The kayak rubbed against the rock, then rolled over.  Andi was immersed in the icy water, taking her breath away.  She fought to catch her breath, holding on to her kayak. Her paddle was quickly making its way downstream in the rapids, and now the rain was coming down in sheets.  She floated down the river, keeping her feet up so they wouldn’t get snagged on a rock.  She didn’t have the strength and energy to be slowed down any further.  With some slow maneuvering, she caught up to her paddle at the end of the rapid.

Andi’s kayak was full of water as she made her way to the bank.  With no strength remaining, she suddenly saw a fellow kayaker round the corner.  Offering help, he emptied the kayak for her.

After the skies had cleared, Andi continued down the river.  She had a new appreciation for Mother Nature and a grateful heart for her guardian angel.