Consciousness slowly crept into the darkness. Echoes of last night drifted through, the screams, the explosions. As the present crept in, it was all replaced by a murmur.
My last memories were of the crowd of the market quickly thinning, though with some left behind, mangled, twisted on the ground. Now the market was full again with a river of humanity.
It only took a moment to see that they were all facing the same direction, all flowing past. There was no panic, no noise.
I sat up, surprised at the calm and quiet.
And then I noticed the tears.
***
word count = 100
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo by @ Roger Bultot. If you want to join or see other stories, go to the inlinkz linkup.
Trent's World (the Blog) 
I had to reread it to decide if it was in his head or the chaotic calm was really happening. It’s hard to imagine the calm in the face of such chaos. Well described.
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Watching refugees move I am often struck by how calm they are. The terrors are behind, and possibly ahead, but right now they have a task to perform… Thanks.
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I like the contrast you bring between the night before, ‘the screams, the explosions’, and the morning after, ‘no panic, no noise’. Well done.
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The calm between the storms and people are moving while they can… Thanks.
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That ending though. Oof. Great story!
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A lot happened over night in that city…. Thanks.
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You tell the event through its consequences as well as relating what happened, setting up a resonance between the two. That increases the power of your story. The last line makes a fitting climax.
Kudos.
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Thanks. Sometimes these short forms force good decisions…
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An intriguing story, and thought provoking. Events are hinted at.
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There could have been a few different events, and none of them good…
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Such experiences never leave you, although other people will remain oblivious to your pain. A very clear emotional effect captured in your story.
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No, I don’t think this type of experience is easy to get over. Thanks, James.
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Well done, Trent. This brought up memories of real events, which too many of us know all too well.
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Thanks, Na’ama. I, luckily, haven’t experienced anything like this, but I know far too many people have.
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Indeed, far too many have, and many in worse ways than I had. May terror end. May war be over. May people put humanity before brutality. Amen.
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“May terror end. May war be over. May people put humanity before brutality.” I will join you in that prayer for peace.
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Amen! Amen!
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xx
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So often crowded places become targets for ill-doers. A timely piece, sadly.
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Unfortunately too often they are targeted. When I wrote this on Wednesday, I was aware something like it could play out, just wished it wasn’t so soon…
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Beautifully described – the devastation and noise and the ensuing silence and tears. With the current events in Ukraine it seems even more poignant.
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I wrote this the day before the invasion, but it was on my mind. I just hoped it wouldn’t come to pass there. Thanks.
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crowded places are often targeted
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Yes, they are easy to hit and cause a lot of casualties.
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Shivers down my spine. You captured the atmosphere perfectly, eerie. Great writing,
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Thanks! That odd angle just pushed my that direction.
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Very nice, Trent. Exactly why I avoid such places in real life, not so much in dream world. :-)
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Thanks, Bill. I tend to try to avoid any place that has a crowd…
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:-).
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Sounds like he was fortunate to wake up at all.
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Yes, I think so.
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Very subtlely expressed. Well done.
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Thanks, Sandra. I hope such situations aren’t playing out today…
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Powerful!
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Thanks, Shannon.
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That last line packs a wallop.
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Gives you some indication of where they are going, uhm, perhaps not, since they don’t know, but what they are leaving… Thanks.
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I like to hear your perspective on it. You’re welcome.
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Nicely rare and underdone
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Underdone and understated are things I know I have to practice…
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I like that you focussed on the humanity in the aftermath and left us to imagine the incicdent itself. Powerful stuff.
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Thanks, Iain. Pretty much the way I was thinking
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Dear Trent,
Hmmm…the tears. Sounds like the narrator is passing from this life to the next. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is possible the narrator is passing from this life to another, but my thoughts were more that people are trying to escape a city under siege, refugees quietly following each other, slightly shell shocked, yet aware enough to shed a tear or two on their way out…
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A modern day occcurance💜
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Yes, it seems to occur far too often…
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