Icarus – Friday Fictioneers

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Hello. It’s time for another Friday Fictioneers entry. The challenge is to write a 100-word story in response to a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Follow the link to her blog for more information.

I have not written anything of any note for a little while now, and I had to force myself to sit and be creative today. The resulting piece is neither my best or my worst, but it is something, and that is all that counts.

Thank you to all who take the time to read, like, or comment.

2020 04 15

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

Icarus

With practised softness, the figure alighted on the rooftop: a hydraulic hiss of retracting wings the only announcement of his arrival.

“Hello, Brother.”

The newcomer turned, a broad grin spreading behind his helmet’s visor.

“Still impossible to surprise, I see?”

The woman regarded him impassively.

“The world is quieter. A sound out of place is a sound noticed.”

“Will you ascend with me this time?”

“To Icarus?” She laughed. “No Brother, I will not. Some of us are content to remain in the shadow of Man’s Great City in the Clouds, if only to bear witness to its inevitable downfall.”

 

Word count: 100

25 responses to “Icarus – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    I share this sentiment. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Like

  2. Tannille Avatar

    I like this. It feels like snip of something much bigger.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Like

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    They obviously anticipated a design fault calling it Icarus

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Or does it speak to their arrogance – claiming that this Icarus would be successful in conquering the skies? Thanks for commenting, Neil.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Lynn Love Avatar

    Intriguing story and concept, Thom. People are pretty good at being arrogant

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Lynn!

      Like

  5. Susan A Eames Avatar

    A complete story and yet it reads like a snippet of something larger. I’m intrigued!

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you Susan. I feel like there might be more here too. I might revisit this world one day!

      Like

  6. granonine Avatar

    Interesting take on the Icarus story. Maybe he hadn’t flown quite close enough to the sun yet.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks for your comment.

      Like

  7. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    That doesn’t seem too unrealistic, the rise or fall of the great city in the sky. We’re going to run out of space eventually.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you! I don’t think it’s entirely beyond the realms of possibility. It was fun to imagine, at least. I’d have to stay down here though – I’m not much good with heights!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. msjadeli Avatar

    I like the light touch of the landing. There is a liberation in knowing you can leave but choose to stay. Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You are welcome.

        Like

  9. Stine Writing Avatar

    I like that – a sound out of place is a sound noticed. So true!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Like

  10. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Nice! I hope they will not burn their wings …

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks for commenting!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    A fine piece of writing, I to liked the line, a sound out of place is a sound noticed

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you, Mike.

      Like

  12. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Thom,

    I liked a sound out of place is a sound noticed. A lot said in few words. Intriguing story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

  13. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    Oh, this is super interesting. I did get confused at first reading, because I thought the person who landed was the person who spoke first. But once I figured it out, the story was easy to follow, and I’d like to read more.

    Like

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