The world no longer tolerated human sounds.
We again had only the wind and birds and streams, not the constant thrum of industry.
Cars and trucks and trains lay askew, smoking and silent under gunmetal skies.
Whatever happened had passed us by – it was elsewhere, an abstraction.
In the first weeks we heard only whispers and rumors – fevers on a distant continent.
We cut wood and drew water while the world bled away from us.
The sun warmed our shoulders and backs in the garden.
We made love, and ate, and said beautiful drunken things.
We ran naked through the house, delirious in the aftermath of history.
We lived as the Creator had always intended.
And it was only after the first of the dead scratched lightly at our bedroom window
That we realized the world would have its horror – our dreams be damned.
_____________________________________________________
For the flash fiction contest over at terribleminds. The theme was disease and horror. Happy Halloween from Sitting In Darkness!
Image by Burtoo
Sitting in Darkness 
October 31st, 2014 at 11:09 am
Great Halloween story, Bob. The horror creeps in so quietly in this piece that I didn’t hear it coming. Good luck in the contest!
October 31st, 2014 at 4:33 pm
Happy Halloween, Suzanne.
I hope all is well with you.
October 31st, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Awesome…paradise lost, literally!
October 31st, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Thanks Mike – have a wonderful Halloween!
October 31st, 2014 at 12:29 pm
“The world no longer tolerated human sounds.” Love that opening line. And the rest of the story, too!
October 31st, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Thanks CM. Are you reading a couple of horror novels this evening to celebrate Halloween?
October 31st, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Yep! Reading and listening…
Happy Halloween!
October 31st, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Delicious words! Very dark and emotive. I enjoyed this 🙂
October 31st, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Thanks tweet. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Have a very happy Halloween!
October 31st, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Oh, yeah. A perfect little chiller for this Halloween gloaming. Time to pull the curtains and shut out the lights. After that frightening imagery, I’m not sure I trust what’s behind those trick-or-treat masks.
October 31st, 2014 at 8:57 pm
Annie Howland – how are you? I am sending you warm hugs – can you feel them?
November 1st, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Awww. Hugs received and much appreciated, Bob! We’re all good here, taking things a day at a time. I’m plunging into NaNoWriMo today, as a matter of fact, trying my hand at YA fantasy!
October 25th, 2015 at 1:10 pm
[…] Bob Bois Interregnum […]
October 30th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Good story Bob.I think you should continue it.I’m curious what happens!! Happy Halloween to you guys.love ya