Pressure

Entry for Daily flash fiction 8/11/2025

Mark’s fingers flew over the keyboard. This report was due in 8 hours, and his job depended on it. He couldn’t handle any distractions, but he could feel his daughter tugging at his sleeve.

“Daddy.”

“Honey, daddy has to finish this.”

“Daddy!”

“I’m working, honey.”

“Daddy! This is important!”

“Honey, I’m sure it seems important.”

“Daddy! It is important!”

He swiveled in his chair to face her, “Fine, what?”

“The house is on fire.”

He nodded absently, “That’s nice, dear, go tell your mother.”

“Daddy, she set the fire! If we don’t get out soon, it’s going to get us.”
“Wait, what?” Mark stared at the closed office door. Smoke was indeed billowing up from the crack.

“The house is on fire.” She dragged him towards the sliding door out onto the patio. After she pulled him free of the burning house his little girl shook her head at him.
“I guess it kind of was important. Wait, did you say, ‘Mommy set the fire?’”


165 words
prompt ▼

Daily flash fiction Contest

Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  (13+) Enter your story of 300 words or less. #896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon

Prompt for 8/11
Write a story that includes the line: “This is important.”
Have fun!