The June 13, 2022 story challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch is to: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a danger zone. It can be an exciting plot-driven story (think “story spine”) or a situation a character must confront. Play with different genres, and use craft elements like tension, tone, and pacing. Go where the prompt leads! Submit at Carrot Ranch by June 18, 2022.
Danger Zone by D. Avery
The reporter put aside the binder of articles and commendations, all citing the husband’s legendary calm and commonsense, unflappable even under fire.
“I’m interviewing you.”
“Me?” She pulled nervously at the long sleeves she wore even on this warm day. “There’s nothing to tell.”
She wouldn’t tell how she holds him when he shakes and cries after a harrowing shift. She wouldn’t tell how she endures his punches when he’s in a drunken rage.
“Every time he leaves for work, I fear for his life,” she offered.
She wouldn’t tell how she fears for her own at his return.
Be sure to go to Carrot Ranch to read the complete “Stacking Stones“ collection from last week. And there’s always the Ranch Yarns with Kid and Pal’s responses HERE.
ShiftnShake 
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Oh what a powerful write, D! Of course, I just wish she would walk away from the danger that is him but I know it is always so much more complicated in real life (so to speak).
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Had I more than 99 words it’d be clear that he is a well regarded hero who ventures often into the “danger zone”, perhaps adding to her complicated burden of secret keeping at home; she wants to protect his image as much as she wants to protect herself.
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It’s funny, but I had a sort of feeling anyway. I get it. It is a heavy burden.
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That’s powerful. Indian housewives do this a lot earlier days, some women still do these days. Constantly living under a roof of fear. This is a complicated life one lead with their drunkard husbands. Captured powerfully with your brilliant writing ✨
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You’re very kind regarding my writing. It is a sad thing when anyone is not safe and lives in fear in their home.
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Love way you knit the plot and deliver the message crisp and short. 🤗U r amazing ✨
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All too familiar, D., but sadly it needs to keep being said.
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Too real for too many people. (K)
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Sad, and so much truth in it for too many, I am sure. No peace anywhere.
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For every hero story I’m sure there’s more to the story.
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Always.
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Powerful, D. Just powerful. Truly a danger zone for him and especially her. Unfortunately, there are probably too many people who fear for their lives in the place that should be a sanctuary. ~nan
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Simply and elegantly expressed in a nutshell,
but so complex in reality.
Much the tragedy!
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Thank you. Yep, it is tragic.
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The less obvious danger zones are the most frightening. The long sleeves on a warm day and the comment “There’s nothing to tell” was very sad. Is very sad.
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Fortunately for me this is fiction, but is too real for too many.
Thank you for reading.
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We had a neighbor who put up with a man who was less than kind. But he didn’t earn any accolades, from her or previous exes… – he was just plain not nice. Finally when our neighbor spoke up – she was encouraged to ‘dump’ him. In the Danger Zone once to often. Finally ‘she’ got out.
It is too bad that situations like your flash still exist. Either bad men, women or those mistreating the elderly and children too.
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