A Strange New World
Pixabay image by Natan Vance
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I decided to have a go at writing a short story. This is my first short story ever and response to D. Wallace Peach’s March speculative fiction prompt. The guidelines can be found in the link above which are to write a poem, story or anything that you want based on the Pixaby image. There are no word limits or style restrictions, but Diana asks that we keep it family friendly. Write and post your response, then link back to her original post.
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Walking down the boulevard of what was once our thriving neighborhood, I feel my heart pounding. Each doorway, shadow, and alley represents the chance of an unpleasant encounter of the strange kind. Ever since the shadow walkers arrived, New York hasn’t been the same. We hear whispers of the same thing happening across the country. There is no TV, radio, or internet. Mass communications have long since gone silent.
It happens every full moon. As the moon grows to fullness, the strange shadows emerge. An eerie silence fills the air with dread. Time stops as does my heart. I feel the dark presence, then a shadow walker emerges from the night. It glides down the empty street. I want to run, but I know there is no escape. They melt unto the paths like liquid death, smooth and silent. No sounds, no eyes, just shadows of what once may have been a person taken by the shadows. When the shadow reaches a person, the person vanishes, leaving only a dark hint of a person.
No one knows what really happened. Doctors claim it was an infected animal that bit the first victim, disease spreading from a rabid wolf. Conspiracy advocates claim it was the result of genetic manipulation gone wrong. Others claim an alien invasion. Or the planet is simply dying and we are paying for the consequences of our actions. All we know is these creatures stalk the edges of the city. And each new victim, in turn, becomes a shadow walker. There are so few people left, the city is returning to nature. The stores, homes, and streets are empty, filled only with dust and shadows.
Of course, we had many warnings. Hurricanes, tsunamis, mass extinctions, extreme weather, ocean acidification, and more. All the symptoms of climate change that we were too slow to acknowledge.
Fear, dread, and panic fill me with each step. Should I even bother to run? The shadow walkers already rule the city. I decide to run, despite the fact that you can’t escape your shadow or a shadow walker. My heart pounds. I race around the corner and hide behind a trash dumpster. I feel the darkness reaching out to me, calling me back home. The sun moves in front of the moon, and the shadows begin to change.
A strange blue light appears, the moon glowing from around the edges of the sun. This is unlike any solar eclipse I’ve ever seen. Usually, the light is yellow, orange or red. Time stops as my head begins to buzz. The noise inside my head grows. It won’t stop. Please make it stop.
Relief, silence, and peace fill me. It seems I’ve been called back home to Alpha Centauri. The human experiment has been canceled. They are deemed too greedy, noisy, and violent. I return to the land of blue in Centauri, filled with peace, quiet, and unity. We exist only as consciousness, having long since outgrown the need for bodies. Every once in a while we inhabit some new species on a different planet. It’s a friendly mission, simply merging with their consciousness, and allowing free will to unfold. We are silent observers hoping to find a species and planet that will bring organic life back to the galaxy. Like humans, we were too slow to see the signs of a dying planet.
An excellent short story, Brad
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Thanks Robbie. I really had fun with this prompt!
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Wonderful, imaginative story Brad. Loved the twist at the end. We still have time to learn. I hope.
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Thanks Len. It was a fun prompt and writing experiment for me. Yes, I hope we learn.
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Beautifully done Brad.
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Thank you Cindy. I appreciate you stopping by while traveling!
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Bravo. I love sci-fi and this little story of your nailed it.
Love us no longer needing our bodies.
There are theories we will eventually become the way you described.
Such a pleasure to read my friend.
Don’t hesitate to write more like this.
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Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement Drew. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and will likely try again.
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Waiting for an encore.
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Now the pressure’s on.
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Haha . You will succeed.
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Very imaginate and well done!
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Thank you Cynthia. I’m glad I didn’t scare you and others off with my strange sci-fi adventure. 🙂
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Yay! Your first short story ever?! Well done, my friend. I’m so glad you moved out of your comfort zone and took a chance. I liked the buildup and the cool twist at the end. I’m looking forward to sharing. Happy Writing!
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Thank you so much Diana. It was very fun and it just flowed. I did very little pondering or editing. It seems it could be a longer story too.
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I didn’t know you did this until after I wrote mine! What a cool 😎 discovery! I enjoy synchronicities. Great story, Brad
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Exactly! I just found (and enjoyed) yours too Ka. This was definitely a fun break from my usual writing.
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Yes! And now I will be away from computer and phone for a few hours and naturally can’t wait to return. So glad we both felt the inspiration!
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Me too.
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If this is your first — I can only imagine what comes next in your short story repertoire. This is so good Brad. Once again, you’ve transported me to a whole new world. 🌎 ✈️
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Thank you for traveling with me Andrea on this strange journey! 🌎 ✈️ I had fun too.
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😊😊
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i love this story brad…it touches a chord in my heart and even though imagination prompted it, it carries something more. and much to ponder….
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Thank you Tania. I hope you don’t let the negative spin impact too much. It’s just one possible future. We may turn this ship around yet. 🙂
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you’re welcome ❤ i do believe that too brad! the resonance with the mission, being called back home and the twist you added to the end touched a chord 😉
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I remember those feelings of being from another place, but don’t really believe that anymore.
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i understand 🙂 i’ve oscillated myself a lot where things feel clear, make no sense, fully connected, untethered, full of everything, and void of everything. who’s to say what’s real and not. imagination is a great place to wander and maybe all that matters
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Yay to imagination and creativity!
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hooray!!!!! you’re so fun brad! 🙂
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😎
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You took me on a bit of a ride Brad. Emotional, at times spooky and you give us a bit to think about at the end. Great job 😊
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Thanks for feeling and caring deeply. This was meant as a fun creative venture, with a little social commentary. 🙂
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I enjoyed it! 🙂
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Yay!
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Love this so much Brad. And even more so the plot twist ending …. Kept me reading and experiencing the story from beginning to end … 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Camilla. I’m glad you enjoyed my sci-fi romp. 🙂
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Interesting, Brad, and a great take on the image! Well done! I love sci-fi! 😊
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Thanks Julie! I love sci-fi too so that made it easier.
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Well done Brad!!! Very engaging…Perhaps this is your future job??? Have a happy….VK 🙂
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Thanks VK. I had fun with it, but don’t see it supporting me anytime soon. 🙂
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nice story, Brad!
against all odds
we continue to
hope 🙂
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Thanks. Yes, we must continue to hope (and act).
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Wow! Brad this is a superb short story and I can’t believe it’s your first! You’re a natural. Enthralling from the very beginning and I love the twist at the end. Well done … and hope you write many more short stories!
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Thanks for the kind words Annika. I’m glad you enjoyed the story and yes, I plan to try more.
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Loved this story Brad, and the twist at the end I didn’t expect.. Very well written my friend. You have a gift, and held my attention throughout..
🙂
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Thank you Sue. The image really stirred my imagination and I had fun with it. I hope to find other images to stir my muse! 🙂
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I have no doubts Brad, now you have found your flare for storytelling, there will be more coming very soon 🤗💚😊
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Thanks Sue. I hope so.
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Thanks Sue. 🙂
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Loved it….loved it!! Awesome short story Brad…..really well done!!
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Thank you. I had fun with it!
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FANTASTIC, Brad. You had me on every word, every nuance, and the ending was applaud-worthy. Actually…. is this a true story? :-0 🙂
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Thank you Pam! I hope not, but we’re heading in that direction unless we learn quickly how to work with nature.
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Really great brad… there is no stopping the imagination when we allow❤️
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Thank you Barbara.
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A brilliant short story, Brad and you have made it quite eerie and scary with so many monsters and the picture too is apt. Too good loved it.
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Thanks Kamal. Hopefully not too scary. 🙂
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Yes but it was nice to read, Brad awesome.
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This is so good, Brad!! Excellent write!
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Thank you Dorinda!
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You’re welcome!! You should write more stories!! You’re really good!
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I appreciate your encouragement. I still feel very tentative about story writing.
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You really shouldn’t. Just let it flow. if you don’t like, don’t share it, but at least you’re spreading your wings to broader horizons. 🙂
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Thank you.
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A chilling concept, Brad. Well done. An enigma to be sure…
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Thank you Joy. We still have hope if we act differently.
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Interesting story, Brad. A glimpse of our future perhaps?
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Thank you Jaye/ Anita. Perhaps. It might be up to us.
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Define us… People like you and me would get things sorted, but ours is not the hand on the wheel…
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Now wouldn’t that be – going home to our star families. I’ve always felt drawn to Sirius though as a kid I used to look up at Orion’s Belt when the going got rough and say out loud “Beam me up Scotty”. He never did and now I’m coming to see that those of us who can feel these greater realities are here for a reason. As the Native American prophecy goes – “we are the ones we have been waiting for”. But I think you know that… 🙂
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Yes Suzanne. I can relate. I loved the idea of “beaming up” too and sometimes felt like I was from elsewhere in the galaxy. May we find and create our homes.
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yes, I’ve often felt like I came from somewhere else but I now like the idea that we did (at least in part) because collectively we answered the call that the Earth was in trouble 🙂
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It felt real, Brad. Great story and I think you have sparked a new creativity in you. Hugs X
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Thank you Jane. I hope so too. Hugs….
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Pure Awsomeness 👏👏👏
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Thank you Vani. I’m glad you enjoyed my strange adventure. 🙂
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Hi Brad you have a vivid imagination keep up the good work! Chris
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Thanks Chris. I’m glad you enjoyed my story.
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Hi there, Wow – totally original! A great short story. Congratulations.
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Thank you Joy.
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