
Barely escaping the shrouds of darkness, Darla suddenly found herself in the middle of a vast hangar. A monstrous beast hovered above her, one of many held fast by large steel cables anchored to an invisible ceiling. Standing in sheer awe and bewildered by the presence of this battle-ready fleet, she looked across at the dimly lit caverns she’d just escaped from. Unsure of where to go, she began walking along the indoor tarmac, watching as the looming monstrosities above her were periodically lowered to the ground. Once settled into place, the engines began to whir, and the fully powered beasts were so incredibly loud that the vibrations went straight through Darla, rattling her teeth. She wasn’t sure how long she could remain there before being spotted by a Detainer. After looking around for a hiding place, she noticed a large corridor leading to another hangar. Peeking inside, she realized just how vast this place was. Beyond the corridor she was standing in, there appeared to be countless corridors leading to endless hangars. Each area looked exactly like the one where she was presently standing. As immense as the place was, though, there didn’t seem to be any signs of anyone else like her. Everything appeared to be under the operation of robotics. And the hum of the mechanicals at work was almost a pleasant refrain from the blood-curdling cries she’d witnessed just a few hours before. With the war barely begun, she knew this was just the precipice of what was to come. Fearing she’d never again see the one person who meant the world to her, she waited earnestly for any sign of his presence. Wispy black strands of hair whipped across her ivory skin as more engines roared to life. Forlorn and fearful, her face creased with worry, she shivered at the sight of what her world had become.
Continued here
© 2024 Michelle Cook
Photo credit: https://afterwards.blog
Writing challenge: https://afterwards.blog/2024/01/08/afterwards-writing-prompt-1-monday-8th-of-january-darla-sci-fi/
Very immersive scene-setting, Michelle! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tom. Been exploring other avenues aside from poetry and it’s been great fun. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a great way to stretch our creativity 🙂
Been experimenting with steampunk fantasy if you fancied a change from historical flashfics ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I love everything steampunk. Are you doing any challenges or following any prompt ideas? 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not prompts as such – just something inspired by a recent TV series 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I can see how that would be inspiring. I often get inspiration from songs I hear, or even just something simple someone says. I guess you never really know where a spark of creativity will come from, but it’s nice when it happens. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully, dramatically, written
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Derrick. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome M! Smashing that flash fiction boss style!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Michael. 🙂 It was a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to the next challenge.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ve set a scene with lots of tension. Wonder what will happen next.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not even the writer knows. lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sometimes that’s true. Bin there.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love the imagery in story you created Michelle. A new approach for you? ❣️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Cindy, and no, I usually just post all my flash fiction on my other blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so very welcome. Oh got it.. I guess I don’t Know that blog. Nicely done❣️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks again 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
A pleasure💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amazing! I loved this story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Carol Anne ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person