This photo prompt is part of the “What Pegman Saw“. Visit if you are so inclined.
Shidey sat comfortably in the cushioned seat of his new, well kinda new, Schwinn two-wheeler. He was doing that no-hands pedaling, just leaning back enjoying the view riding. And, what a view it was! Fukushima, Japan, 2041. He had been here with his parents when the alarms sounded. There were no real bunkers in this radioactive city. They had done all they could, hiding in a building as full of metal as they could find.
The bombs had been aimed carefully, many had gotten through defenses. The entire world was racked by the worst devastation man had dealt out. Earth was a forgiving mistress, but, this time, she allowed Mankind to reach to about 1/2% before letting him live.
Shidey looked at the two-headed birds and the five-footed cat. He found it both strange and wonderful that this already radioactive city was now one of the few refuges left on the planet.
Word Count: 150
Namaste,
Scott
Comments
Fantastic and frightening. As a cold war kid myself, I remember the feeling of wondering if I had a future. It colored my writing and my entire worldview. That feeling let up for a time, but with things as they currently are, the future is looking a bit bleak again.
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Never bleak! What needs to happen will happen. We choose our lives and our future. I am positive, happy, and loving life.
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An interesting take on the prompt – full of imagination and vividly written
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Thank you
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My pleasure 🙂
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Dear Scott,
I enjoyed the irony of your whimsical sci-fi tale. Good ob.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like the breezy tone of this piece. Too bad radiation doesn’t do cool stuff like giving us Hulk powers or Spidey strength. It just makes us throw up, go bald and die of bleeding sores.
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ah, you spoiled my fantasy…
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Nice job!
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I like the irony of your concept, that Fukushima becomes a refuge from nuclear holocaust.
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Thank you much!
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Begs the question is he pedaling with his fins, perhaps? 😉 Creative take on the prompt. Great to see you!
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Read a story similar once…yeah.
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A strange and wonderful futuristic story that could easily be around that two-wheeled corner.
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Yes, that used to bother me, but not anymore.
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So radiation really does give superpowers. Cool. 😀
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