Cyclone Dineo

PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young

The shimmer caught her eye. At first Naledi thought it was a bottle, dumped by the storm. She let go of Mother’s hand and leaped over a broken door to get a closer look. She squealed, her hand flew to her mouth. She peeked behind her, Mother dabbed her eyes and Father rubbed her back.

She poked the shiny red stone, the gold necklace twisting around it. The storm fairies brought it here! Naledi clutched it to her chest. She knew exactly where to hide it: in her jewellery box Father gave her on her birthday.

96 words

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At this very moment Cyclone Dineo has hit Mozambique. What was first a tropical storm was upgraded to a full cyclone status in the last twenty four hours. It’s effects will be felt as far as South Africa and Botswana, where I live. Although it will have weakened and only heavy rainfall is expected in the northernmost parts such as the Okavango delta. It is quite unusual to have cyclones in Southern Africa, perhaps global warming is to blame. The last cyclone I remember personally experiencing was over a decade ago in Cape Town, but that was considered an exception rather than the norm.

This week’s flash fiction is inspired by Cyclone Dineo. Praying and hoping the destruction is minimal and no loss of life will occur in my neighbouring countries.

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Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers. Why not give it a try? Read more flash fiction here.