Flash Fiction – Shells

This flash piece was written for the 27June 2014 Flash! Friday competition and received third runner up.  The photo and “patience” was the prompt.

Shells

The first mushroom cloud held a sick beauty. We watched as billowing death darkened TV screens. On the beach white foam sparkled between shells. I wanted to hold your hand, but tousled your hair to make you laugh.

Nuclear Winter Recon. CC photo by Paul Hocksenar    

More mushroom clouds. More cities turned into mass graves. More people huddled together to survive. More lashed out violently. I wanted to hold your hand, but made a silly joke.

Darkness consumed the world as we fled to shelters. Death spread in ash and clouds and black masks. I couldn’t see your eyes behind the fogged lenses. I promised you I wouldn’t leave.

One by one millions of voices fell silent to be remembered only somewhere in the midst of the dead or the fearful memories of the living.

Only broken shells remained. Shells of cities, shells of people, shells of souls, shells of prayers for forgiveness whimpered into the dark sky.

I’d waited long enough.

I slipped my hand into yours.

***

Here's a look behind the story - and the song that kickstarted it.