Thomas Charles Henry

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The turning of the tide – Friday Fictioneers

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Thomas Charles Henry

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It’s Friday Fictioneers time! The challenge is to write 100 words based on a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog for more information by clicking here. Thank you to all who take the time to read, like or comment.

2016 07 22

PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields

The turning of the tide

The whole world seemed grey on the day we finally admitted defeat and abandoned our home.

Lady Liberty remained, torch held aloft, as if waving goodbye. As we passed her, I noticed condensation glistening on her cheeks like tears.

Nobody knew where the creatures had come from. Even miles from shore I could still see herds of them on the horizon. Gigantic beings! And they were the gentle ones. The wind carried the roars of the not-so-gentle ones. Everybody on the boat shuddered in unison – the reaction of a species no longer top of the food chain.

26 responses to “The turning of the tide – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    I’m not clear where they’re going, but it is very atmosheric

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    atmospheric

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Neil. I don’t think they know either!

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  3. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    Oh Thunderchild… I get that vibe of those aliens from war of the world.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Björn. That’s the vibe I was going for!

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  4. Edith M. Field Avatar
    Edith M. Field

    I love how you’ve expressed the sadness in Lady Liberty at the reversal of all she stands for. Very moving.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Edith. I hoped that would come across.

      Like

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  5. wmqcolby Avatar
    wmqcolby

    Cool, Thom. Just plain awesomely cool! I’m ready to read some more. Reminds me of the great old s-f movies I used to watch made by Universal.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks! If only I knew what happened next! I’ll add it to a pile of things for possible further development. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

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  6. spicedmullings Avatar
    spicedmullings

    Aliens? Probably! Love the line about the tears! Is it because she can’t leave too! Her destruction too is probably imminent!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      That’s exactly it! Thanks for commenting!

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  7. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Good idea to focus on the cranes on the horizon. They do look horrific – reminds me of a scene from War of the Worlds.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Sandra. I’m glad you saw what I did regarding the cranes. Once that image was in my head there was no turning back.

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  8. FabricatingFiction Avatar
    FabricatingFiction

    Chilling. I like this a lot.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. creatingahome Avatar
    creatingahome

    Power tussles.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. mickwynn2013 Avatar
    mickwynn2013

    Love the line, “no longer top of the food chain.” The human race exploits everything so it sort of takes away our sympathy and we say, “tough, it’s someone else’s turn now.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting. We’re really not as evolved or as powerful as we think we are, are we? One day we might discover this to our cost.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. aliciajamtaas Avatar
    aliciajamtaas

    The wind carried the roars of the not-so-gentle ones. This line says so much

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    I’ve heard of a gravy boat, sounds like this one is filed with people. Bon appétit

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      ‘Gravy boat’ – love it! Where were you when I was struggling to think of a title?!

      Like

      Reply
  13. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    Where’s our arrogance now, with stronger, smarter ones ruling? Great story, this could develop into something longer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks! So often in sci-fi stories we win because we’re ‘human’ – it’s like we have a strength or a quality that can’t be matched or beaten. I always wonder: ‘what if it can?’

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    Now that’s scary. I hope they make it to somewhere safe. Good writing, Thom. —- Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks again Suzanne!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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