Sunda Serial: 280 x 70 by Gill james, 52. No More Water, still water

Introduction

This collection is a collection of seventy stories, each 280 words. They were inspired by the first picture seen on my Twitter feed on a given day.

 

The net was empty for the seventh day in a row. Not even any seaweed today.

"Look," said Melissa. 

"What?"

"Don't you see? The boats are even lower in the water today."

Yes they were getting lower every day. This last ocean was evaporating.

"The water must be going somewhere," she said. 

Frank couldn’t reply; his mouth was too dry. He thought of the days when they all carried water bottles. Plastic monstrosities. Dehydration had been a myth. Sure, it was uncomfortable but you didn't die of it. 

They arrived home.

"I'll go and look in the garden," said Melissa.

Frank nodded. But he knew she would come back without anything. It was all dying. She surprised him tough.

"These might cook up." The cabbage leaves were dry and powdery. They might have worked if there'd been any water to cook them in but he doubted they'd come to much baked in the oven.

A squirrel ran across the fence, followed closely by another. Soon a fight broke out.

"I've never seen them that viscous before," said Melissa.

"They're as desperate as we are." They both watched as the bigger squirrel killed the other.

"What?" Melissa screamed.

Frank shook his head. "He's not eating him. He's just drinking his blood."

Melissa didn't eat her dinner. Frank had little appetite for his. It tasted vile and the incident with the squirrel had been upsetting.

"I'm going to bed," said Melissa.

He joined half an hour later. That was it. That had to be their final meal. He felt under the bed and found the hypodermic they'd saved for this occasion. "Sleep well my lovely," he said as he carefully injected her.          

About the author

Gill James is published by The Red Telephone, Butterfly and Chapeltown.  

She edits CafeLit and writes for the online community news magazine: Talking About My Generation.

She teaches Creative Writing and has an MA in Writing for Children and PhD in Creative and Critical Writing.    

http://www.gilljameswriter.com  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B001KMQRKE

https://www.facebook.com/gilljameswriter 

             

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