Prompt Me #1
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Did you know that I have published a writing prompt ebook? Prompt Me was published in 2016. You can get a copy for just 99p from Amazon for the 10 weeks that this blog series is running.
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So, what is this blog series? This series is all about Prompt Me. Each week, I shall choose one of the one hundred and fifty prompts and expand on it.
I invite you to join in with this series on your blog/ social media each week, and I would love to feature your interpretations on Writerly Bookish Stuff with links to send my readers your way. Everyone who joins in and tags me in their posts will receive a free copy of Prompt Me if they so wish.
Okie doke, that’s the info side of things, now on with the show…
Prompt:
‘In total, sixteen ships came to rescue us. That meant that only sixteen thousand humans had survived the death of Earth.’
My Interpretation:
“Just be grateful that you are here,” Josh hisses. My brother would do anything to avoid confrontation, even when he just watched the destruction of our home planet at the hands of our apparent rescuers. “Would you rather be down there?”
I turn away from the viewing gallery and the nothing that was Earth. “I’m sorry if I can’t feel gratitude toward the people… aliens who just annihilated my home.”
The soldier glances our way, and Josh nudges me to shut up. I still can’t get over how similar, and yet, dissimilar we look to them. They are humanoid, but their eyes are larger and the pupils cover nearly eighty percent of the eyeball. When they talk, they talk in every Earthen language, but I’ve never heard their own.
“English speaking evacuees are to follow me,” calls a incredibly pale skinned alien. His ginger hair is a shock against his complexion.
“What happens now?” an angry voice calls out from the crowd. “Why are we even here?”
The soldier stands firm, hands clasped behind his back. “Preservation, Sir. Were you aware that you Earthens had approximately one hundred and eighty nine days left before the core of your planet finally stopped rotating? The — felt it best for the preservation of your species that a percentage of humans be evacuated before the as you say, humane termination of life.”
“Humane termination,” I shout in reply, much to Josh’s dismay. What was humane about killing eight billion people!” I jab a finger at the viewing gallery, purposefully avoiding looking at the empty space.
“Shut up, Lewie!” Josh mutters under his breath.
The soldier makes his way slowly toward me, the crowds part like the Red Sea in fear. “Do you know what would have happened? First, the core slows down, then the . What you have just witnessed was a kindness.
“You don’t know that for sure. How could you? We could have thought up a way to stop it… to fix it!”
The soldier laughs. “Even Earth’s governments knew about it for years, and knew there was nothing they could do. Now, I suggest you get onboard with everything that has just happened and be grateful–”
I scoff. “Grateful?”
“Yes, grateful.” The soldier steps closer still, staring me down with those freaky eyes. “I have been on this craft for three and a half years to prevent the extinction of your species. There is a three and a half year journey back to where you will be relocated. That is seven years away from my family. So, you will show me and every other member of this crew gratitude!” He turns to his colleague in a rage. “Get them to processing.”
Josh taps the soldiers forearm, making him bristle. “It’s just hard, you know. That was our home.” His meek, sorrowful voice makes my eyes prickle with tears.
The soldier’s face softens as he rests a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “I do understand, honestly I do. We all do. This entire crew have been right in your shoes. It gets easier, but first, youve got to learn to accept it for what it is.”
His eyes, although softer, bore into mine. I simply nod my head in acceptance.
Remember, if you are joining in with this series, let me know in the comments, and tag me in your posts whether they be blog or social media to let me have a read of your interpretation. You will get a feature on this blog and a free ebook, so what’s to lose?
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
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