Private Darkness
Felicity prided herself on her unflappability, and yet she was still shocked, one night, to see the moon being eaten away slowly, as if a gargantuan turtle were nibbling on the lettuce leaf that was the lunar disc.
“The moon is disappearing!” she screamed.
“It looks the same to me,” a passerby said, glancing up. “Full moon tonight.”
No one else say it. They insisted the moon was full even as Felicity watched the last silver sliver disappear from view. She watched the stars go dark as God’s spilled inkbottle continued gobbling up the sky.
The next day, the sun did not rise. The streetlights went off at their normal time and Felicity groped her way to work, using her phone as a flashlight. People eyed her strangely as they strode by.
From then on, she lived in a world of darkness and time became only a number on her watch. She began only going out at night, when artificial lights were lit. One evening, she was walking to the store when she heard someone scream, “The moon! It’s disappearing!”
Felicity smiled. It may be the end of the world, but at least she wasn’t crazy.
“Anything is bearable, when one does not have to endure it alone.” – R.W. Guy
The Green-Walled Tower 
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:10 pm
I did think the moon looked like it was being eaten when I saw the picture. I’m glad I didn’t go with that idea because my story wouldn’t have been as good as yours! 😉
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Bah~ 🙂 Have you posted one yet? I’ll have to go read it.
February 23rd, 2014 at 10:56 pm
that is spooky!
February 24th, 2014 at 12:02 am
Wonderful opening.
http://www.awordofsubstance.wordpress.com
February 24th, 2014 at 1:02 am
Sounds like the end of the world almost, whether real or imagined. I can see the way some like Felicity will live with that kind of fear of the inevitable and why they must really be afraid. But, there is hope. I hope she has finds hope to conquer her fear. Good story.
February 24th, 2014 at 1:38 am
Good story. I can relate to Felicity’s fear. At first I thought you’d go off into a children’s story about the darkness, etc., but this is a great short story; right to the point.
February 24th, 2014 at 3:08 am
Excellent. I like the way you ended that.
February 24th, 2014 at 5:37 am
Nicely done!
February 24th, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Now that’s what I call a story! Great stuff David 🙂
February 24th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Thanks! That’s quite a compliment. 🙂