Boat was the only way home. A huge fire storm had engulfed Ku’ring-gai National Park, and jumped across the M1 Motorway, burning out the trains and blocking all traffic in and out of Sydney.
Dave was trapped, just like millions of nameless commuters jammed into this hellish sardine tin of burning embers. Yet, like a bat out of hell, he had to get home. She’d never leave the house. Would rather go up in flames, than face her fear.
Dad’s dingy would never make it across the Hawkesbury, but he had to try. Only love could find a way now.
…..
This has been another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wishoff Fields. This week’s PHOTO PROMPT © Fatima Fakier Deria.
Bushfires are quite a normal, anticipated events, especially during a blazing Australian Summer. It is not uncommon for the M1 Motorway, the only main road North out of Sydney, to be closed due to bushfires and on such instances, the trains are likely to be down too leaving stranded commuters to crash out wherever they can for the night. My husband has been caught up in these closures, although our house is nowhere near the bush.
If you are wanting to read a first hand account of driving through such fires, Kimberley’s Bushfire Diary is worth checking out.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Dear Rowena,
Dave’s desperation is tangible. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Sometimes the urge to just get home and be with loved ones is all that drives us. Dramatic take.
So, did he make it?
The ‘hellish sardine tin of burning embers’ is so vivid. Wonderful
Thank you very much, Clare. There have been a few times in recent years where the bush fires were so bad that it looked like the whole Sydney was on fire. It was quite scary. We live a bit North of Sydney in what is greater Sydney and my husband has been caught out unable to get home from work. It has almost felt like the end of the world at such times.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Neil, I’m not sure. Will need to sleep on that. Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks, Iain. I have been called a “drama queen” once and awhile…
Best wishes,
Rowena
Thanks very much, Rochelle.
Bets wishes,
Rowena
Love conquers all, or so they say. Excellent Rowena
I feel fro him.
Mine’s at http://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=16050
That’s a terrifying tale. Dave’s a hero; I hope he made it!
A boat as the only rescue from a blaze, cool thinking under pressure. I think Ill take my hurricanes over your fires anyday!
I have to agree with Claire, that “hellish sardine tin of burning embers” is a great descriptive line…
What a horrible situation to find oneself in.
You caught the desperation, alongside the futility. Well done.
My God, your description sounds scary.
Wow, what a story…and from your personal note, I can only imagine it better. Wow! We used to burn off our tobacco fields every fall after harvest. It was a carefully controlled burn, but very smokey. I can’t even begin to imagine being in the middle of an uncontrolled forest/bush fire. So scary!
Thanks, Jelli. I haven’t been in the middle of one myself but there have been busfires fairly close to home but at a safe distance. We went up to photograph a controlled back burn during one of these fires and it was incredible. Must try and dig those photos up. The entire hill was on fire with gum trees and bushes in flames.
Best wishes,
Rowena
It sounds absolutely terrifying and you convey that so well – the fear and confusion.
A really great piece Rowena. The character development is very well done.
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Thanks Lynn and thank you for pointing out the confusion. I hadn’t thought of that on a conscious level, but you’re right and it’s such a feature of such horrific natural disasters.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Wow, a very tense situation there. I love your descriptive language, and especially the closing line.
You’ve managed to capture such a desperate yet hopeless tone, and knowing that this happens often makes it all the more scary. Great piece.
He must be feeling terrified for her, stuck there, desperately trying to get home to save her. Nice one!
Scary, sad, and well done 🙂
The fear, panic and desperation is palpable, great job
You do a good job of rousing emotions. Hopefully love saved the day!
A very moving story with a dramatic ending. I hope he makes it home! =)
That line of “rather go up in flames, than face her fears” reflects our own resistance to facing our own fears so well. I hope he saves her, though it seems so bleak and unlikely.
My pleasure. Can’t imagine how awful these things must be to live through.
Thanks very much, Michael.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Ellie.
I think I’ll also go for your hurricanes as well and your alligators and rattle snakes over our salt water crocs and the fierce snake or Eastern Brown Snakes. Oops. I just wound my husband up about our deadly snakes and his face lit up and he was very animated.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Yes, Australia sounds like a dry Florida on steroids.:)
My Dad has actually been to Australia several times, and got his PhD there(we stayed home in Minnesota.) The last time, my mom, who was very well-traveled, went along and she told stories of encountering very large lizards, and said there were too many poisonous snakes to count.
It looks lovely anyway and I would love to go someday. I’m quite fond of several Australian shows. The one that comes to mind is Dr. Blake mysteries.
Funny image of being “wound up” by snakes. Snakes are usually winding their way somewhere, and often up.