When the birds began to drop from the sky, it was weird, even spooky, but I didn’t know this was the end of everything. They littered the lawn like drifts of autumn leaves. Fish washed up dead on the shore. And over it all, the punishing dome of stilled, sweltering heat. The forests caught and burned.
Life’s limits are very finely set, you see. At a wet-bulb temperature of 30.5 ° C, we start to die. Those of us with air conditioning lasted longer. Until the power failed.
It’s been good.
.Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Anchoring the fiction in actual biological limits makes the threat feel terrifyingly immediate and inevitable – which it probably is! Great last line Neil – hopefully we’ll be back next week🤞😊
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If the ai does’t get us first. Thanks so much
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🤪
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Dear Neil,
“And in the end, the love you send…”
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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Quite scary. Like Room’s Day. Perhaps you intended it to be.
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I did
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Anchoring apocalyptic fiction in actual science makes this hit so much harder! That line about surviving only until the power fails builds such a sudden, quiet dread. Masterfully written in just 100 words, Neil! 🌡️⚡
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Thanks so much
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😊😊😊
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This almost unbearably sad. It also has me asking, at what point should we have stopped and considered, then stopped and considered again and again and again? Great writing, Neil.
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Maybe 50 years ago? Thanks so much, Jilly
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Well, I guess that’s that. Nice knowing you.
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Thanks for reading
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We are thinking this these days, aren’t we?
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after the summer of fires and floods, yes
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We are all thinking this aren’t we this sweltering summer?
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Neil when it doesn’t matter anymore what sign you choose. I have seen too many YouTube headlines where they say AI will finish us off by 2030.
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End of days or what?
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Barring a major intervention in our trajectory, I’m afraid so. What do you imagine that could interrupt it?
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Excellent piece, Neil, if a little short on laughs!
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The gods are chuckling
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With the climate getting out of control and AI taking over, we don’t stand a chance!
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Is there honey still for tea?
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Lordy, that was grim…
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But with an upbeat ending
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True enough!
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loved the last sentence. enjoy while it lasts.
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Thanks so much, Plaridel
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Hi Neil, a rather dark contribution this week. the world has survived many climate changes and human interventions, but I’ll agree it is the rate of change that matters.
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Thanks, James
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“At a wet-bulb temperature of 30.5 ° C.” Brilliant.
Surabhi
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Thanks so much, Surabhi
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Doomsday
No way back…
A scary future is coming
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Hopefully not. But we’re behaving as if it’s not happening
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Ooh scary… and soonish it will happen, I guess.
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Not if we do something about it
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Eventually something will have to give.
Hopefully not too soon.
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Not if we act
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Can i be honest? I am never sure what action will alleviate what. Every move has its pros and cons
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We have to stop burning fossil fuels and reduce other sources of CO2
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Unfortunately a bit too close to a very possible reality. Nicely told.
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Thanks so much
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Great descriptions of the end of everything. I relate to “the punishing dome of still, sweltering heat” where I am now.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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That’s mighty glum, chum. Good thing I scored a couple of tickets on Musk’s Starship! 🚀
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Enjoy the ride
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We are very much going this way, instead of that way. The current situation is definitely not a tea party! Great take on the prompt.
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Thanks so much, Michele
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