PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers. Other stories featuring the prompt can be found here.
The government sealed off the area. A forbidden zone. Danger to the general public. Nothing to see here. But there is. A strong magnetic field surrounds. The air crackles with electricity. Explore beyond the ruins. In the hillside, you will find a passage. Push aside fear and follow the steps down into the earth. Take a torch to light the way. Follow the twists and turns, ascending downward. Deep within the rock, the others await. Show them respect. They can be loving and hostile. If you return to the surface, keep your mouth closed or the government will shut it for you.
Dear Tanille,
A bit of a bleak and depressing piece. That last line sent a chill down my back. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I also see a bit of hope. It means we’re not alone in the world. Depends what creatures are down there. Maybe they want to help? Another story, for another day… 😀
Thanks Rochelle!
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Sealing off the area isn’t the greatest way of saying “nothing to see here”. I’m not sure the government will keep its secret long. And then the gnurs will come
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There’s a point. At the moment the government claims its a restricted area because the ruins are unstable and dangerous.
Thanks Neil
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I’m curious, but not that curious to take the risk. Think I’ll stay above ground thanks! Nice writing.
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That’s the smart option. Let some one else YouTube their findings.
Thanks Iain!
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Sometimes, curiosity is just not worth it. I’ll be satisfied meeting warm and loving creatures, puppies and kittens, far away from that place.
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Ah puppies and kittens. Great choice!
Thanks Varad!
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Seems I would like to stay underground for the moment.
DJ
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I think the underground would be fascinating.
Thanks DJ!
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An intriguing piece.
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Thanks Sandra!
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Cleverly built, I liked this a lot.
But ‘ascending downward’ gave me a problem.
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You have a solid point.
Thanks C!
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Um, no–I don’t think I’ll go down there. Not that brave.
And just a note–you “ascend” upward, ‘descend” downward.
Really good writing, gave me goose bumps.
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Thanks Linda. I think my brain entered creative mode with the hollow earth theory and played with up and down lol. “Descend” would be the correct word.
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I liked this a lot.
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TY!
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I wonder if he took a risk too far. Not a descent I’d undertake!
‘Retribution’, my short story.
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As Moulder would say “the truth is out there”. Some will go great lengths for it.
Thanks Keith!
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Part of me remembers Charles Manson’s vision of Helter Skelter… I would not go down to seek them
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I’ll have to look that up 😀.
There are always idiots/the brave that will explore.
Thanks Bjorn!
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Yep.
Best not say too much about what must not be spoken of … ‘specially if saying something might mean losing everything … 😉
Well done!
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Suppression of the truth, rarely, if ever, is good.
Thanks N!
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As strange as this seems at first, it awakens a parallel in real life. Those situations you encounter, uncertain and a little afraid, only to realize that the outcome is in your own hands. You speak only well of those you’ve met, reluctant to upset the status quo.
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I like that story metaphor.
Thanks P!
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Very strange and discombobulating. Up is down and good hostile i. This place. Though outside seems not much better. I would read on…
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There is a lot that could be played ons.
Thanks A!
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“If you return to the surface”!!! Love that, that’s intense
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A bit like an “choose your own adventure” book. 😀
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I remember those, the Warlock of firetop mountain, you tell the kids we used to have fun with a book a pencil and a dice these days and they won’t believe you!
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Ah the good ole days!
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You know people cannot keep a secret for the life of them…
Most interesting piece, Tannille!
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Everyone wants 60 seconds of fame…The truth will be set free.
Thanks D!
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Before ling too many people will know and then the government will have to take… harsher action.
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And / or release so much miss information and public can’t distinguish fact from fiction…
Thanks D!
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You built the tension and intrigue well! I felt it and wondered who waits deep in the earth. I won’t ask too many questions though, or else …
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Chicken!
Thanks B!
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Haha … hey, I like being called “B!” =)
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Love it. Love the machine gun rhythm of the writing.
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Fun style to write. 2nd person point-of-view is neglected.
Thanks P!
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Snap close.. very tightly done.
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Thanks Violet!
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Government seems to be all powerful. Is it protecting those who are living underneath or those people are prisoners?
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That is a really good question. I was going with “aliens” but who knows?
Thanks Abhijit!
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Mysterious. It feels like a dare, a quest, but a quiet one. Well written.
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A dare could be fun. Or even a game of “chicken”.
Thanks S!
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Why does this remind me of “Journey to the Center of the Earth”? Nice job
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Because that’s where it was heading, but 100 word limit killed it 😀.
Thanks Jo!
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Could that be in Area 51? Good sci-fi, Tannille. I don’t think I’d go there and find out what the government would do. Well written.
— Suzanne
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Smart choice.
Thanks S!
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Liked this a lot. Tight, mysterious, intriguing and intense. Well done!
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Thanks G!
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A dystopian world of hope.
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That would be a first… Perhaps the underground is blessed with better leaders?
Thanks J!
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Very intriguing. I wonder what exactly is beneath the surface.
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Something to be explored. 😀
Thanks Kelley!
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