They always looked smoky for a reason. There was always a haze that hung over and around them. The Great Smoky Mountains. As the man and the woman looked at from the ruins of what used to be their home, the haze now was real smoke. The remnants of the terrible fire that had swept their beautiful mountains a few days before and claimed their home.
The town below devastated. Their dog and pet pig gone. All their treasures gone. Thousands of acres of timber and wild animals gone. Everything they loved but each other.
“What now?” he asked, his face crumbling, as he looked at her.
She sighed as she looked with love at his aging face.
“Are you game for rebuilding and helping out here?” she asked. “We need to help put this place back together again.”
His face broke into a smile.
145 words
A tribute to the people, animals, and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park after the East Tennessee Fires. The cause – arson.
#amblogging #amwriting #writing #flashfiction #fiction
Photo Credit to Joy Pixley
Post for FFfAW Challenge.
Thanks, Priceless Joy!
The Write Scribe 
Great story Rosemary! There is always light at the end of the dark tunnel. They certainly showed this to be true!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful response to such a devastating event, to find the strength and perseverance to keep going and rebuild. Your story brought a tear to my eye, well done!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too good… wonderful take on the prompt😀
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice take Rosemary, especially liked the hopeful ending. We don’t really get those big sort of fires over here, but they must be devastating for those caught up in them. Good writing.
LikeLike
Absolutely terrible wildfire with hurricane force winds. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad tale. But nature will reclaim what was hers I hope
LikeLike
I hope so too, Michael. It was a really terrible fire.
LikeLike
This is a beautiful tribute. Despite everything the characters have lost, what they are thinking is how to help out. Amazing and inspiring.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Wonderful story! There’s a real sense of hope despite the loss.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So long as they have each other – lovely 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person