It was the day before everything changed. It had been a hot July day, humid and energy-draining in the parts of the world where it was summer. Where it was winter, it had been unusually warm. Ominously warm.
Everything was quiet on the street. It was too hot for children to play outdoors. The only refuge was the air-conditioned inside, or a cooler basement if air conditioning was not available.
There were no cars on the street, no buses, no trucks, no bicycles.Β No joggers. No one.Β Nothing.
No one knew what was coming, but everyone sensed–something–was changing. Forever.
Dear Linda,
You did a good job of setting the ominous scene and bleak tone for this story. I’m left cringing at what might happen next. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you. I’ve had time to read only three or four stories so far, and I’m sensing there’s a tendency toward “Apocalypse Now” this week π
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A few. Not where I went. π
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Great first line
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Striking and gripping attention-getter! The way I feel sometimes when I think about the return of the Lord, which I believe is a real event going to happen.
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Climate change is staring at us.
Humans are responsible & they have to pay the price…
First, I thought of the same for my story too. Then, steered to another tale:
Proven Princess – Anita
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I wonder if it will all end like this, or will we have no warning at all! I’m not sure which I would prefer!
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I think I’d prefer the “no warning” scenario, myself.
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Great start, great finish, and lots of good stuff between. Well done, Linda!
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Thanks, Penny π
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Very ominous, Linda. Well done!
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Nice way of setting in that feeling within the readers as well! π
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Global warming resulting in extremes. A portend for all to see.
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That one kept me on the edge of my seat. This would be a great intro to a longer story.
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Thanks, Russell. I agree–just not sure it’s one I’m qualified to write.
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Well told Linda Itβs been rather feeling like this story this year in England.
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My son moved to England in January, says it’s been unusually hot there for sure. He’s in Islip, near Oxford.
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As a child in the late 1950s I would often cycle around Inslip and the surrounding area. Happy times.
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He and his wife love it there.
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Like waiting for an earthquake after the hair rises on the back of the neck but before the shaking starts.
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Yes! I like that π
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Nicely-set scene. The calm before…
My money’s on a massive catastrophic solar event π
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We’ll never know!
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if it’s time to go, i think it’s better to go in style with the air-conditioning on for comfort. π
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I am amazed at how much this picture has given people apocalyptic ideas!
Well described, Linda.
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Before the storm…the anticipation builds up beautifully. Nicely done.
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Oh that is a good build up. Phew!
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I don’t know what is coming either but from your description I don’t think its a good thing!
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One of the things I love about this word limit is that it leaves so much for the reader to imagine π
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Very well-paced story and very atmospheric. Very well-told.
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Dystopian story. Well told. We have hot sunny summer weather here in the South East of England right now which added to the drama for me.
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Thanks, Jilly. You aren’t the first one to mention the unusual heat in England this summer.
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