A Hole in the Sky
THERE ARE SOME THINGS MONEY CAN’T BUY. FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, THERE’S FLASH FICTION FRIDAY!
Here are your prompts for today:
Write about finding a hole in the ground.
awake to find the world sleeping
“I never thought you had it in you”
BATTER UP, FICTIONEERS!
Part One
"I smell them. I know they're there. I must dig." A whistle, a call, and the poodle bounded away toward her master.
Part Two
The sky was falling. Literally. First in small particles that no one really noticed, but soon, there was no denying the great clods of sky crashing down all over the small town. Mayor Geraldina opened the microphone on the community communications system to reassure the inhabitants that all would be well as long as no one panicked.
"Folks, we have suffered through other sky-fallings and recovered. Stay calm and extend your home shields and then stay inside until this event is over. Go to the innermost room and protect your heads above all. We will rebuild any walls that suffer damage."
Stacie glared at Stuart who hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry," he said. "I should have installed the full shield as soon as we built the place."
"I refuse to engage in this conversation with you right now, but if we survive this sky-falling, I have plenty to say, make no mistake about that. In the meantime, where do you suggest we shelter?" Stacie was fuming because she had reminded Stuart that a partial shield was useless until he snapped at her for nagging. She knew eventually she would be proved right, but at what cost? The time had come to pay the price for distraction and misplaced priorities.
At that moment, they heard a thundering from above. There was a piercing sound followed by a boom that Stacie was certain was purposeful, like the Abovers were speaking. She knew that the Abovers were make believe, but she still imagined they might possibly be real. Before she had time to process what the booming sounds might mean, the whole town shook as the sky above them pulsed once, twice, no four times, and then was still.
The Mayor's voice again came through the community comms, "It appears this event is over. Please check your shields for damage before returning them to their locked positions. If there is damage to your home or local tunnel, please place your orange repair flag near the damage and the crew will work in shifts until all repairs are complete. Food is available at the community center for those whose storehouses are damaged.”
Stuart looked sheepishly at Stacie as he held up an orange flag next to his head. "Think they can repair me?"
Stacie rolled her eyes. "Let's just get the mess cleaned up, count our blessings, and install the full shield before there's real trouble."
Bowing, Stuart responded, "Yes, dear."