The desolated houses were all variations of the same story; those that had weathered the bombings had been abandoned to the elements many years ago. Pealing paint, rusted kitchen appliances, splintered chairs and couches, tattered silk cushions… Humanity hadn’t heeded its prophets.
Burdie sighed as she adjusted her worn gas mask and checked her remaining ammunition; the survivors she knew were no less obstinate than their predecessors.
This piece of flash fiction was written in response to:
- The Sunday Muse #220;
- Fandango’s One-Word Challenge: ‘element’;
- Ragtag Daily Prompt Saturday: ‘silk’;
- Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt #269
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
The perfect length for that ending and to sound the warning. 🙂
🤎 Wyndolynne 🤎
Sad but true, eh?
*siiighs*
The title says it all – have we always had a self-destruct button?
💙 Marion 💙
Excellent piece of flash fiction David! 👏👏 Wonderfully descriptive, really sets the scene for the post-apocalyptic scenario! Love it! 😁👌
💚 Ken 💚
Dystopian yet all too real. 💔 Intriguing write, David
🧡 Michele 🧡
All the post-apocalyptic worlds we imagine will never reach the horror of the reality… Still this one gave me pause. Are we on the brink??
😰 Muri 😰
A great story. I loved every one of the 67 words. You always find just the right thread to weave in the prompts perfectly; even though there isn’t much difference between those that have gone before and those left behind.
Burdie is a new sounding name for the main character.
Gorgeous illustration, which you answered to my liking.
🥰 Abi 🥰
David I feel pretty awkward since everyone else’s impressions differ with mine ☺
isn’t that the point of art?
Yes, but to be that far off?
I think it’s great that you are true to your own intuition – I value that very much
Well I was just looking at what you did with the prompt word Variations and yes of course I recognize that there was an apocalyptic event and I was thinking more of a movie.
Thank you David. 😊
❤
a sad and too true of a tale that breaks hearts, minds and spirits! 💖 well penned!
💝 Cindy 💝
Intense and sadly true to the times for those in Ukraine. A powerful write David!
😓 Carrie 😓 ~ it’s so sad
This is very timely. Makes me think of the people in Ukraine.
☹️ Sherry ☹️ ~ me too
Very well done, David, the images add another level of eeriness of untold tales…. and it’s repeating itself somewhere… right now 😦
💔 Karima 💔
A poignant warning here David. Relevant and timely my friend.
💞 Rob 💞