This week’s prompt, provided by Charli Mills of Carrot Ranch fame, was to write a 99-word story (no more, no less) about a danger zone and to go where the prompt leads.
From the Carrot Ranch site: June 13, 2022, prompt: 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!
This pedometer geek writer didn’t quite know what to do with this prompt, but decided that not every danger zone is obvious and came up with the following:
A Danger Zone
Going to an upscale restaurant causes anxiety for me; however, it wasn’t always that way.
The first time it happened at a nice restaurant. One bite caused a reaction. A dose of epinephrine stopped it.
Once diagnosed, it was easy to avoid by asking if there were any pine nuts because of a life-threatening allergy.
Much later, it’s another restaurant, another bite, and then, anaphylaxis, a trip to the ER, and an overnight stay.
Eventually, even cross- contamination of utensils causes minor reactions.
Would another accidental bite be the one that caused death? Despite Epi-pens, it’s the Danger Zone.
~Nancy Brady, 2022
To read all the stories concocted by the Word Wranglers of Carrot Ranch, check out the blog at http://www.carrotranch.com on or after June 22 when the stories should be posted. #99wordstories
nbsmithblog...random digressions and musings 
I guess this is what is called livin’ on the edge. But stay there. The middle is no fun. You’re better than that.
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Thanks JC., for reading and commenting .it is living on the edge for anyone who has severe allergies. I’ve known of some who end up in the ER all too often. On the other hand, you are right: the middle is no fun. ~nan
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One needs to be very aware of such food reactions. A nieghbor should have known better when taking his son to a resturant that food might have been cooked in peanut oil. The outcome wasn’t as lucky as yours in your ‘A Danger Zone’.
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You are absolutely correct I was told by a woman whose son had a life-threatening allergy to casein (in so many products including dairy products…think milk) to tell anyone that a severe allergy is “Life-threatening” or they won’t pay attention. Even then,they don’t always.I am sorry to hear about the child; that’s so sad.
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He had just graduated High School…
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How tragic, what a loss.
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That’s definitely a danger zone, Nan. You did well.
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Not a typical danger zone, but to those with severe allergic responses, AKA anaphylaxis, to a particular thing(s), it is. I am not sure that was what Charli was thinking about when she posted the prompt though.
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It’s too easy for those of us without allergies to forget how dangerous the world can be for others. I am glad you wrote this.It’s important.
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Thanks, D. It is kind of you to say that. If it opens some people’s eyes, then my story accomplished its purpose. I have known people who don’t believe that someone has a severe allergy and tricks them into an exposure…not a nice thing to do. ~nan
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Wow, that’s a horrible thing to do!
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Yes, it is. The person thought it was all made up. I couldn’t believe that anyone could be that cruel.
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I thought this was a great take on the prompt Nancy. I saw it earlier when the collection was published and liked it on my first read. I have one food I need to avoid because my body think it’s poison some how. Anyway you got and kept my attention.
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Gary, thank you for reading and for the compliment on my response. I felt like it wasn’t what Charli was looking for the prompt, but it worked for me. I hope you make sure that you avoid that food…trust your body to know. Based on my experience, it gets worse, not better. ~nan
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A person without any allergies isn’t going to stop and think about this kind of danger zone. It brings a new awareness. I hope this isn’t a true story for you.
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Thanks for reading, and yes, it is. On the other hand, when my Epi-Pen goes past its expiration date from lack of use, I feel fortunate. Then I make sure to replace it since expired epinephrine can be deadly, too. ~nan
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