"It's Independence Day and something unexpected happens . . ." Flash Fiction

I'm partcipating in a flash fiction contest. So here is my 250 words, which I might add is really hard to get a story in that short amount of words.

Bright Fireworks lit up El Paso's mountains. It was a good thing Amber loved Pedro. If she’d seen El Paso before meeting him they would have lasted only one date.


The air condition blasted. The thermostat said 114 degrees but that had to be wrong. Pedro had been quiet since they’d past the state line into Texas. Was he as worried as she about meeting his family?

Pedro grabbed her hand. Amber turned and saw his honey colored brown eyes staring at her. There was an emotion there that Amber had never seen.

“Hey don’t worry. I’ve had to win over tougher crowds,” Amber said smiling. “I don’t think you have to worry about your parents.”

Pedro smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. Instead his eyes turned sad. He looked ahead to the road. The city lights stood as a beacon for them. They’d come in the back way leaving the traffic of the main highway for deserted country roads and small towns with ticket happy sheriffs.

Suddenly a thousand spot lights blinded them ahead on the road. Pedro slammed on the breaks. The car swerved and ended on the shoulder surrounded by a cloud of dust.

“We have to get out. Now,” Pedro said. Amber opened her door, a million questions filled her head.

Pedro grabbed her hand and pulled her into the thick brush.

“Stay low. Whatever happens remember I love you and Happy Fourth of July.” Pedro turned and left her alone.

Go here to read the other entries and see all whose partcipating.