draliman on life

Here is my story for the 150 word fiction challenge, What Pegman Saw. This week we’re at the Palace of Pena in Portugal. I plopped little Pegman down on Google Maps and found a picture for my story.

To read this week’s other stories, click on the blue froggy.

Copyright Google

The Oracle gazed out over the grand vista afforded by the uppermost battlements of the Palace of Pena, her face filled with sadness.

“Once this place was filled with beauty. Trees, grasslands. One could hear the birds singing and watch as deer and rabbits played in the forests, celebrating the return of spring with all its endless possibilities.”

“But, my Lady Oracle,” protested Novice Miguel, “I see those things in abundance!”

“As you are aware, dear Miguel, I see not today, but that which is yet to come,” replied the Oracle, touching his arm in comfort.

Miguel felt a chill flood his body. The Oracle had never been known to be wrong. He followed her as she shook her head sadly, returning to the palace. Behind them, the sky to the east brightened suddenly and then darkened as the first mushroom cloud stained the horizon.