They emerge from the stadium, first a trickle, more anticipation than a presence. “We are the Rovers” carries like a tectonic rumble from inside. There’s a hint of bubbling, dusted with blue and burgundy team scarves.
The dribble becomes an ooze, then a torrent, flooding the empty streets. Sulphurous fumes hide the houses and church. The streets are choked. There’s no individuality anymore, only molten burgundy and blue rivers.
The stadium roof blows off, showering us in burning concrete. At last, the river slows, stops, freezes. One trapped face holds a howl. Someday vines will grow on this rich volcanic soil.
.
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
Dear Neil,
A very disturbing piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh good
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At first I thought you were writing metaphorically about the out-of-control fans of some sports team ready to riot and rumble over a win or a loss. Or maybe it started that way and a volcanic eruption took over.
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Transformation
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Oh my, that was dramatic!
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Just a little
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Neil, I agree that this is an apocalyptic image. Nice twist on the volcano!
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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You’re welcome.
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Yes the world is at the mercy externally from the weather and internally, the molten core. Don’t disturb Earth’s heart.
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Thanks for reading, James
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I was thinking “UK’s smog of ’52, or bad old-fashioned crowd trouble – until the burning concrete.
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an exercise in transformation
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Okay then. This was most disturbing!
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Excellent
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🙂
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Ooooooooo
Very atmospheric. Very creepy. That frozen scream will stay with me
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Thanks so much, Laurie
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the horror of horrors, it was like mount vesuvius erupting burying pompeii and herculaneum.
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Thanks so much
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What the hell just happened? This reminds me of The Bay Bridge Series, the World Series between the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants that was interrupted by an enormous earthquake.
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Transmutation
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Great sensory piece Neil, it felt to me like an allegory- a bridge between two worlds – the ancient spectacle of Pompeii and modern football stadium 🙌
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You got it bang on. Thanks so much
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That’s good to know thanks Neil 🩷
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Gosh, I wasn’t expecting that! Nice one, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Chris
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I love the use of blue and burgundy scarves/rivers. Vivid.
Have a good day :).
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Thanks so much, Surabhi
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masterful as always. I particularly liked the line: “carries like a tectonic rumble from inside”
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Thanks so much, Michele
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That’s some deep writing for 100 words.
Wow.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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Excellent depiction of the way every NY Giants football games ends …. terrifying and total defeat.
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Thanks so much, Nancy
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If only the recent ‘everyone loves soccer’ push for acceptance by American audiences (or submission, whichever) would adopt the Vesuvius approach in marketing. Wow them with spectacle, lock ’em in with lava.
fun post
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Thanks so much. Clark
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