FF – Sunshine
Here is my post for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This photo was originally posted a few months before I started, and was supplied by Rich Voza.
To read the other stories, click on the blue froggy.
Copyright Rich Voza
“Are we not getting on the plane, Mummy?”
“No, sweetheart, not today.”
“But… the sun is nearly down and you said it would be daytime when we took off.”
Sophie looked to her husband for support, eyes moist.
“That’s not the sun, pumpkin,” he told his little girl. “Let’s go back inside.”
“Are we far enough away, do you think?” asked Sophie quietly as their daughter scampered back to the terminal.
“From the initial blast, yes,” said her husband, “but the wind’s blowing from that direction. Fallout.”
Sophie shuddered, her tears drying in an instant as a second sun burst over the terminal building.
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Friday Fictioneers
draliman on life 
I’m sensing a recurring theme with sunrises/sunsets and interstellar explosions 😉
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It’s hard to tell the difference sometimes. A beautiful sunrise, or thermonuclear armageddon?
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Ali,
Try reading it without the word Fallout. I didn’t need the word to understand the story and it was a distraction in my opinion. It’s minor but I had to say it. Otherwise you brought me into that terminal with the family waiting for the “fallout”.
Tracey
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Thanks Tracey, I did wonder but wasn’t sure if everyone would get it so I left it in. Sometimes I don’t understand people’s FF stories at all until I read the comments and I’m worried about being too obscure 🙂
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I thought it was just me! They’re too clever for me sometimes.
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Yay – I thought it was just me too 🙂
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I can add my me too, too.
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i’m afraid the family is doomed. 😦
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Very doomed 😦
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Ouch. Well, at least it was quick.
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Way better than vomiting your way through radiation poisoning.
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One of your best serious stories I think Ali.
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Thanks 🙂
I finally got a prompt which didn’t “force” me to write something silly!
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You evoked a lot of feelings with that story. I am always amazed at what you can do with only 100 words. Also, your stories are NEVER predictable. It is hard being the grownup when things get tough. 😀
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Especially when there’s a little one demanding answers.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! This story came to me within seconds of seeing the photo, which makes a change recently 🙂
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A very interesting and different take from you.
Great story.
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I’m glad you liked it! I did a lot of “end of the world” stories ages ago but everything recently has been a bit silly 🙂
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I like both sides, they’re always so well written.
🙂
🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Damn plane out on a training mission forgot to check and make sure its nukes were blanks. Someone’s gonna lose a stripe or two for this…
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Probably some drone operator two thousand miles away thinking he’s playing “Armageddon 3 – End of the World (Again)” on his Xbox.
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This video game is so lifelike, it’s almost real!!! Wait a minute, I’m getting a breaking news alert…
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Take the 5th!
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I agree with Tracey that the word ‘fallout’ was redundant in this piece. Nice one.
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It seems looking through the comments it’s one of those “some would prefer it gone, others are glad it’s there” kind of things. Tricky sometimes – I know what I mean but does everyone else?
I’m glad you liked it!
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I think it’s kind of sad story, Draliman. I’m glad you put the fallout in, that made it for us clearer what had happened. Pawkisses for a real sunny day 🙂 ❤
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one vote for “fallout” 🙂 It is very sad 😦
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Nice set up for a story with even more suspense. Good work, Ali. 🙂
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! Makes a change to get away from the absurd for a while 🙂
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True that.
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A possible future.
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Worryingly, yes.
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This might be a likely end… alas. I almost hope when it comes I will be melting at the core.
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Me too, better that than a slow painful death.
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Although you use the term fall out, I saw this event as a new dawn, when the earth got two sun’s, I am ever the optimist.
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That puts quite a different slant on it!
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I expected this story to be humourous near the end, in your trademark style, but you pulled off tragedy with elan! Kudos!
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Sadly there was no happy ending for these people 😦
I’m glad you enjoyed it though!
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Yes, I liked it very much😀
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🙂
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Chilling! Great story!
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it!
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Poor doomed family. But at least the 2nd sun made it quick.
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Yes, better than a long lingering death for sure 😦
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Scary and good as well as good and scary! 🙂
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Very powerful story, Alistair!
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Thanks, it was nice to write something apocalyptic after so much silliness the past few weeks 🙂
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Nice! Sad, but nice.
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Thanks! Yes, very sad.
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A terrifying situation with a tragic ending. Great story, Ali. 🙂
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I’m glad you liked it! Let’s hope we never find ourselves in a situation like this.
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How tragic. We’re all just a breath away from something similar in the world we have today, I guess. A gripping story.
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Worryingly I think you’re right.
I’m glad you liked it!
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Sad that the little girl realizes what it is.
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Sometimes it’s better not to know.
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A sad but well-written story, Ali. Let’s hope it doesn’t happen that way. Hands off the button. —- Suzanne
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I hope it doesn’t either. Let’s even get rid of the button.
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Holy man… “That’s not the sun…” Great story!
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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I liked this and as mentioned elsewhere I think it’s better without saying fallout. Somehow it’s more ominous when left unsaid. Like something so bad people are afraid to say it’s name.
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Thanks, yes, the consensus of opinion is definitely against “fallout”. I prefer it without too on second look!
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Dear Ali,
I’m all for less is more. But in the end, to fallout or not to fallout is your decision. Good one, nonetheless. Bleak and chilling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m glad you liked it! It is better without “fallout” but I’m a worrier 🙂
Ali
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When you do serious, you do it with a vengeance! Great story.
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Great story. Seeing a nuclear blast in that sunset was inspired.
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Thanks! Worryingly, it was pretty much the first thing I saw 🙂
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A great interpretation of the prompt. Thought provoking and terrifying, too.
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Thanks. Yes, pretty terrifying.
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I enjoyed the story and the calmness of the parents. I wonder how calm I would be.
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I think it’s been one thing after another and now they’re pretty much numb from the shock. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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