The Lull Before

52 Replies
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PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

It was empty, the normal hustle and bustle come to an end. Strainers and sifters hung in their silent testimony of the last meal served. Left as was.

The world was still, the buildings held their breath.

And then a whistle. A dull thud. Dust and plaster fell from the ceiling.

Another thud and the skylight blew out, filling the room with millions of glass shards.

The antiaircraft fire was as useless as a gnat against a bear.

But it didn’t matter.

The people had long left their homes to try to find life in the harsh, cruel world beyond.

***

Word count = 100

Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.  This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo ©J Hardy Carroll.  Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“.

52 thoughts on “The Lull Before”

    1. trentpmcd Post author

      For some, the survival instinct is staying put and trying to burrow deeper. I’m not sure how well that works with modern warfare. But, yeah, I think most people would chose life, even if the prospects as a refugee look dim right now. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  6. granonine

    And so it is, all down through the centuries. The difference today is that there no more worlds on the planet; nowhere to go to get away from those who want to shut you up, control you, or kill you. No escape.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Agreed, man has always shown his inhumanity and those that are caught between are usually the ones paying the price. Today those that can help usually slam the door in the faces of the unfortunate.

      Liked by 1 person

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  7. pennygadd51

    Good story, Trent. While there’s life, there’s hope. But you’re right – this is the reality for far too many people. I was appalled by the UK government’s recent response to the adverse judgement on selling arms to Saudi Arabia, which boiled down to “Oh dear. We made a mistake.”

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Fatima Fakier

    It doesn’t sound as if leaving had much better prospects for them, but guess they had no choice. It was either choose to be a refugee surviving on the mercy of others or die in the bombs and crossfire. Tragic reality of our world.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I would not want to be a refugee in today’s world, that’s for sure. And the world that seems to frown on refugees sure doesn’t seem to want to do anything to stop people from creating more…

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      It is a war and the town is being bombed. The people all left in a lull in the fighting and are all now refugees, though there are are still some trying to defend the town (i.e., the antiaircraft fire).

      Like

      Reply ↓
        1. trentpmcd Post author

          When I wrote the story I was thinking about some of the current wars and the refugees. Not a pretty picture. But I was also thinking of any and all modern wars, those in the past and future.

          Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks! I wanted this to be about any war in any land, but since planes of a certain country that use the bear as a symbol have been used a lot in some of the world’s hot-spots, well, i thought this made a good analogy.

      Liked by 1 person

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