"Aftermath"


This is a piece I wrote for another Flash Fiction contest, six months "before" 9-11-2001. A strange premonition, maybe...
(submitted to Authonomy - FFF - October 14, 2011 - 416 word)

The glittering violet sky had been a beautiful blue earlier that day. The clear, fresh air was now filled with the stench of sulfur and burnt flesh. 

The once bustling, snow covered city, lay in ruin beneath a blanket of destruction. In desperation, people cried out as the burning buildings collapsed around them. 

The hiss and static of the flames blended with their repeated screams. The silence came and long hours went by. 

The smoke began to clear and Jason carefully rose to his feet and looked around. Climbing out of the rubble and over the debris, he made his way into the street. 

"Faith, can you hear me?" he called out frantically, listening for a response. "Please answer me! I must find you!" 

He heard a faint voice in the distance, "God help me, please!" 

Faith struggled for breath. 

Relieved to hear her voice, he pressed forward, his lungs burning as they filled with the poisoned air. 

"Faith, talk to me, your voice will lead me to you," he replied urgently. 

The frail voice tried desperately to continue. "I can't. No more," her soft voice trailing off as Jason came upon his fatally injured wife. Pinned, she could not move; the debris, too heave to lift. The blood poured from her mouth and ears. Her breath was labored and her eyes were distant and tearful. Jason knelt down and cradled her in his arms. 

"Faith, can you smile for me?" he asked, holding back his own tears, realizing there was no hope of saving her. He held her close and whispered, “I love you”. 

She managed a faint smile and tried to speak. Flooded with her own blood, her voice cracked, "They've finally done it, please, save our child," she whispered, staring into his eyes; her body went rigid then limp. 

"Yes," as he felt her last breath escape its tomb. 

Gently he closed her eyes, and brushed the ash from her face. Hesitantly he touched her abdomen; the child was still moving. Jason quickly stood up and looked across the devastated city for someone … anyone! He saw no one, he was alone and helpless. The hours sped on and Faith’s body grew cold. The movements ceased as he watched his child succumb to the madness. The warnings were unheeded; now his wife and unborn child lay dead in the rubble. Their horror was over in an instant. Rubbing his bloodshot eyes, he would find survivors and tend to the grisly business of aftermath. 


© 2001 Gretchen Steen