THE
NEW COASTLINE
“Let’s
go, Jesse,” Dad shouted. We'd had a month without rain.
Mom
handed me granddad’s shotgun. Dad
never learned to use it. We'd been against hunting before.
Hunting
was a necessity now. I’d been
pretty good at the arcade, so shooting rabbits was easy.
We
weren’t vegetarians anymore, either.
We
picked our way down the mountain, through the ruined landscape, ignoring the bloated
bodies.
The
new coastline appeared out of nowhere.
“Look at that!” Dad marvelled, but I was
looking out over the endless sea.
The
big storm was over. We'd better be
ready for the next one.
This Dabble
in FLASH FICTION is from FRIDAY FICTIONEERS courtesy of:
and you can comment on mine below:
Dear Lindaura,
ReplyDeleteAmazing how necessity will change dietary habits, isn't it? Desolate, apocalyptic feel to this. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I loved that photo. Could have written novels about it. But thank you for your wise comments.
ReplyDeleteit's sad when the storm's over and all you could think of is the next one. great piece.
ReplyDeleteYes, but one must be practical at the end of the world...
Delete"We weren't vegetarians anymore."
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be hard for me - I've been a vegetarian for over 30 years, but I'm also a survivor, so hey, needs must...
DeleteFollowing the past couple of weeks of storms and frigid weather, this story seems very relevant! Well done.
ReplyDeleteYes, but the storms we've been having lately just keep on coming...
DeleteA timely piece Linda - we've got a few new coastlines in the UK after the recent storms, and a number of houses are a lot closer to the sea now, if not actually in it. There was a bleakness about the scene here, beautifully captured
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra. Sorry about the bleakness, because I really warmed to the photo...
DeleteOh I really loved this dystopia. We can get used to anything and quickly when we need to. And it also points out how being a vegan and being opposed to hunting is really just a luxury.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are so right - but although a luxury, because we have the choice while things are abundant now, I feel we should choose ethics now, and if we don't NEED to eat other living things, we should definitely choose NOT to. That's just my opinion.
DeleteI guess shooting at the arcades can be good practice, as long as the barrels are bent on purpose by the carnies. Looks like these people are in for a rough ride from here on. It's a get tough or die environment now.
ReplyDeleteWell when the going gets tough, the tough eat rabbits!
DeleteI have always said I would have a tough time adjusting if I were ever stranded out in the wild - I'm such a picky eater. Nice dystopian take on the prompt!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteWith plenty of bloated bodies around, that's lots of good protein, so I wish they'd leave the bunnies alone. Why is our vision of the future so dark? I guess it wouldn't be very exciting if it was all sweetness and light. Ron
Well, those bodies have been sitting around for a month. Don't think they'd be too healthy to eat. As for the bleak vision of our future, I guess we have to go further into it. Once all this has washed away, maybe we would get a new dawn. Sadly, I am not too happy with the whole cosmic joke of being alive in the first place. I never liked the ending planned for us.
DeleteWell done! This apocalyptic vision is so bleakly realistic. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I loved that photo and wished I could have come up with something lovely instead of bleak, but there you are...
DeleteAren't we allowed to eat rabbits? they don't have cloven feet? Are they bottom feeders? Personally, even when I was a carnivore, I could never it the bambi foods, like rabbit, bear or venison. I never made the connection between steak and sweet young steers, so I ate meat, but a bunny rabbit! that's just plain sick!
ReplyDeleteApocalypse changes feeding habits
ReplyDeletefrom broccoli to furry rabbits
Yes, no more furry broccoli...
DeleteThe apocalypse would definitely change one's eating restrictions. Nice feel to this one. You packed a lot in.
ReplyDeleteThanks. And you can imagine how much I had to delete!
DeleteStorms give and storms take away coastlines. I'm sad they had to eat the bunnies.
ReplyDeleteYes, good thing the bunnies were still there.
Delete
ReplyDeleteWe weren’t vegetarians anymore..great line!
Thanks. Let's just hope this doesn't turn into The Road and they have to flee the cannibals!
DeleteTime to build a big strong boat. Caulk it with rabbit fat!
ReplyDeleteGood idea! You ade me chuckle!
Delete