Flash Fiction Friday: Warning Tremors

Here was the prompt for this week's flash fiction.

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As she searched, her movements were frantic. Evie crammed as many medicines and nonperishable snacks into the bag as she could. There was no time to waste, and the adrenaline surge she’d been riding for the last hour wasn’t helping. It addled her brains and made her hands useless.
 
Once the news of what the delegates brought home with them broke, there’d be a panicked rush out of the cities. A bolt of guilt pierced her heart. As soon as she got the word, she abandoned her job at the local news station and ran home to “bug out” without contacting anyone. Yet, hearing her children playing, blissfully unaware of the horrors to come, pushed the guilt back and filled her with determination. Whatever she had to do, she’d get them as far away from major population centers as she could.
 
“Whatcha doing, Mama?”
 
Evie shoved a bottle of children’s Tylenol and a box of Band-Aids into the bag as she looked back at her youngest. “I’m getting ready,” she answered, forcing a smile onto her face. “We’re going on an adventure.”
 
Little Nadine’s eyes lit up with excitement, and she clapped her hands. She spun around. Wisps of brown hair flew in all directions as she pelted down the hall to her older brothers’ room. “Mama says we’re going on an venture!” she shouted.
 
Tears stung Evie’s eyes. She blinked away as many as she could and ignored the others as they traced hot trails down her cheeks. The worn book bag looked about ready to bust, but it wasn’t as heavy as it looked.
 
After dressing the four of them in layers and loading down their ramshackle car, Evie loaded the children and dialed her husband. He picked up just after the second ring.
 
“They’re dead,” she told him. “All of them, and their local staff members are being admitted now.” Her voice wavered as she heard him faltering for a response. “It’s E.L.E. type bad. I’ve packed. I have the kids, and we’ll be there in ten. Meet me outside.”

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So what did you think?

I think I will make this a weekly feature. How does Flash Fiction Fridays sound? All stories will be written using either a random generator or reader suggestion and 500 words or less. For now I'm using all generators, but I would absolutely love to write bits of flash fiction based on your suggestions.

You can also find the audio version of this story over on my YouTube channel.