END TIMES

Christenson fell to his knees, his hands raised to the skies, his face a scream of agony.

‘Show yourself!’ he cried.

Outside the storm tore at the earth. Debris battered against the protective dome. Trees, buildings, animals – all tossed asunder.

Inside the palm trees were still, the climate pleasant. Only the constant howling noise broke through.

How could anyone believe? No one had faith anymore. It was the end of times and He was absent.

‘For our sake, show yourself!’ Christenson beseeched the heavens.

A dark shadow passed over the sky.

Christenson watched in horror as the giant hand reached down and the first panes were crushed.


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Copyright J Hardy Carroll

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.


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67 responses to “END TIMES”

  1. Dark and apocalyptic, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

  2. A dark and vengeful god, with a cynical sense of humour.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like the idea that God would be amused by the struggles of humankind. Thanks Penny

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Dear Iain,

    A perfect example of “be careful what you ask for.” 😉 Chilling and oddly funny at the same time. Sort of like Slim Pickins riding the bomb like a cowboy on a bucking bronco in “Dr. Strangelove.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3edi2Wkr5YI

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah, I love that movie Rochelle 😉

      Like

  4. Suspenseful and sad. And it make you think, be careful what you wish for.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Absolutely, I’m sure any God would have a few questions to ask about how we humans have been behaving!

      Like

  5. Don’t tempt fate. I would love to know more about this giant, this world.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, be careful what you ask for. I don’t believe in a God, but if there is one, surely they can’t be happy with what we’ve been up to!?

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah the odds aren’t great. I swing to the agonist middle and try to play it safe.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Oh man. The dude is doomed. Good pacing here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you – maybe it was all just a dream…

      Like

  7. He might be okay, maybe there’s no giant person attached to the giant hand?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I believe that’s called ‘clutching at straws’ 😉

      Like

  8. I’m glad I didn’t read this while my pad was being battered by the storm last night!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Pretty wild up here too. No sign of a giant hand though!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. What the hell… If it is raging outside of the dome, be glad you are inside…Why ask for such trouble?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Some people are never happy! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Sometimes we need to be careful what we ask for. Good one, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We certainly do. Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Sounds like a perfect idea for an episode of The Twilight Zone. Good story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. A bit apocalyptic, Iain. Nicely done! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Well, it was good writing. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Which is why we need to build better and stronger domes, to keep gods out. They’ve been messing with us since the beginning of mythology. This is our world. We don’t need illegal immigrants coming down from the heavens.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes (ignoring the fact that we didn’t originally belong inside the domes in the first place, we took them over and kicked out the natives!)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Natives don’t know how to use domes properly.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. The hand of god, or perhaps a giant mechanical drone controlled from somewhere in the universe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Or just a Giant. Thanks Mike

      Like

  15. I suppose we should be careful what we ask for, aye? Great story Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Always! Thanks Russell

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Well he did ask! This was actually very graphic, and quite unnerving.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sandra. Unnerved is good 🙂

      Like

  17. I’m not sure that’s exactly what he had in mind 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No, God doesn’t do subtle.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Puts the phrase ‘be careful what you ask for’ to shame. Great one!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. The terror and desperation of the guy are beautifully described. He should better have stayed quiet though. I love the humorous horror of the ending.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, I thought it quite amusing too! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Be careful what you pray for.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Or who you pray to. Thanks Liz

      Like

  21. Be careful what you wish for, eh? You managed to evoke the end of the world in very few words – well done Iain. Cracking story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Part of me – even as a non-believer – would quite like something like this to happen at the end 🙂

      Like

      1. It certainly would fill the places of worship – not for long of course

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Oooooo that giant hand… I so want to know more. Perhaps the little human was complaining too much.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They do like a moan – I wouldn’t be surprised if any God was a bit fed up with them!

      Like

  23. At first glance I mistakenly read: Christendom fell to its knees, which would have been apocalyptic enough. 😊

    I like you retributive God, busy destroying the world, but not too busy to lend a hand to this modern Noah, who I assume is a favorite.

    But you twist the knife with the consequence of God’s answer –it means Christenson is no longer protected from the whirlwind.

    Very Oedipal–consequences for pride–for the impertinence of demanding individual special treatment.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yep, basically God has had enough of the lot of us. I like your mis-reading, the name was supposed to give that hint.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Be careful what you wish for – the End was inevitable. The dark shadows cast by some gigantic invading monster. Your story strikes fear into the world.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Wonderfully dramatic- I love the description of trees, buildings and animals being flung against the dome, I can imagine the man cowering inside. It could be a fire and brimstone sermon about man’s hubris !

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you – it would be good if someone could come and have a word with our leaders anyway!

      Like

  26. Scary! Such vivid writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Reminds me of Lot’s wife looking back at the destruction of Gomorrah. Maybe it’s worse to be left behind than to burn.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Be careful what you ask for.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Be careful what you ask for. Maybe now is the time to a palm but I am guessing that he is fingered anyway.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. *time to read a palm*

      Liked by 1 person

  30. I agree with Laurie Bell – ooooooo! Spooky!

    Liked by 1 person

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