Last Look
Nike pressed
her palm against the cool window. Earth had never looked so beautiful and
desolate as it did from space. Rusty brown coated most of the planet, but
swirls of blue and puffy clouds dotted the landscape. She’d seen old pictures
of Earth, but this was not her ancestors’ planet anymore.
It wasn’t
hers either.
“Neeeee-kaaaaay.”
The voice echoed in the spaceship, and she stiffened as boots clomped along the
metallic floors toward her. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“How can I
serve you, Captain?” Her fingertips trailed along the window, as if caressing a
long-lost lover.
“There was a
brief disturbance in Sector J. Some of the civvies are having second thoughts
about the mission, and—”
“You thought
I could speak with them.” How could she explain her own doubts? They were
leaving the only home they’d ever known. Earth may have changed drastically
since the disaster, but they were abandoning home.
“Yes, exactly
that.” The captain smoothed down the fabric of her uniform. “I knew I could
count on you.”
“Of course,
ma’am.”
She listened
to the captain leave. A sigh flowed from her lips and fogged up the window,
obscuring her view of Earth. It was just as well. A new home awaited them. It
was just a hop, skip, and a jump through a wormhole.
If only it
could be that easy . . .
8 comments:
Nicely done. If only it was that easy! Your little flash bit was able to capture the anxiety and doubt well.
I love your flash pieces, they always elave me wanting more.
Liked that!
Last Look reminds me of how I've felt when leaving a place I've enjoyed but never expect to see again.
The last line doesn't seem to bode well for the character.
Great flash fiction!
Great job! Your flash made me think of a National Geographic feature about wormholes. Could see your character there.
Really liked the ending...nice.
I like the unusual name of your character! A well-written piece that conveys quite a lot of feeling in a few words :)
Post a Comment