The loud explosion shook the makeshift shelter violently. Instinctively I dropped to the floor and covered my head with my hands.
A photograph was shook free from one of the many books that were scattered around the small space. Over the past few months I been living in my shelter for many days at a time in fear of my life. I had built up quite a collection of books in that time. I did not own any bookmarks, though, so using old photographs was a good way to mark your place.
As it fluttered to the floor I found myself simply staring at it. I could remember everything about the moment this photograph have been taken. It was our wedding anniversary and my husband had just passed his helicopter pilot license so, what better excuse could we have for a celebration flight?
It seemed like yesterday but everything was gone now. The cityscape, the odd bits of greenery, and, of course, my husband.
All lost in a war that was being waged for a reason I could not remember. It all seemed pointless.
Wanting to regain what was lost, I stepped outside in order to wait for the inevitable.
Written for Sunday photo fiction
Great short. 🙂
E6
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Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Great vision of the future, hopefully doesn’t come to this! Real strong sense of her character, loved the detail of using old photographs as bookmarks.
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I hope it doesn’t come down to anything like this in our future, mainly because I did not have a clue how to build a shelter!
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If the apocalypse comes, we’re all in a world of hurt!
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Powerful take!
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Thank you. I don’t know why that picture room you think of an apocalypse, but they go!
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You’ve managed to fit so much into so few words. Excellent.
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No idea how it all fitted looking back! Thanks for reading.
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Sad thoughts. Photos hold such incredible memories don’t they? Loved your take on the prompt! Good job! 🙂
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I always find myself remembering strange things when I look at photographs! Glad I am not the only one. Thanks for reading.
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Wow — packed a lot into flash. Amazing.
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Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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: ] :
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To those who use digital cameras and never print out the photos: You won’t be able to have this type of nostalgic reverie.
Too many people living in shelters (Europe and ME) these days; the thought of them giving up to the inevitable is truly sad.
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What a lot of sadness packed into the story. And it’s so true, how looking at a photograph from the past can suddenly put everything in a new perspective.
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Photographs really do help you put things in perspective, I am glad that you agree. Thanks for reading.
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Great story Angie. Giving up and stepping outside to be with her husband is a powerful way to end the story
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It is something I would have done in the circumstances. Thanks for reading and hosting.
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Well written snapshot. Interesting such a devastating war has made everything in that photo gone. Sad very sad. Why does she go out of her bunker, to await what?
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She goes out to face the inevitable… Death. Thanks for reading.
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“Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.” – Emily Dickinson
Reminds me of this but conversely, she does stop for death. Well done 🎈
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She lost everything so just wanted to disappear.
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Ah I see.
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Tragedy and futility of war at a personal level.
Well written, Angie.
Oh, shaken, not shook, I think.
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I will try harder to rock your boat
🙂 Thanks for reading, always appreciated!
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Oh Angie, if only I was 80 or 90 years younger, you could rock my boat all day long.
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I am probably older than you think!
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Comparatively speaking, you are a mere babe in arms, my sweet friend.
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