The Doctor didn’t know quite what to make of this place. The coastal villages had all been abandoned, and there wasn’t even a hint of living, breathing humanity for miles and miles. Yet, there were no bodies either, or that asphyxiating stench of death he knew too well. Indeed, there were even signs of habitation with tea and coffee still on the bench, and what seemed to be a lifetime’s supply of sugar. The Doctor wondered what had befallen this lost civilization. The only clue was a mask lying on the floor.
……
94 words. PHOTO PROMPT – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
This is another contribution to Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wishoff-Fields. https://rochellewisoff.com/
Best wishes,
Rowena
Beyond the Flow 
Dear Rowena,
Of course the mask was on the floor. Rude people toss them everywhere instead of throwing them in a proper receptacle. 😉 Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
OMG, this makes you think!!! Great take, and I’m with Rochelle on mask disposal
This is right on the mark for today’s world. Love it. It’s… hmm… right word… haunting. yes, haunting.
The litter of masks has quickly become a common sight around the world. Sounds like it could be something more than the pandemic has hit this place. Nice one.
Intriguing R. Hang on to the sugar, it might be worth something.
the masks litter is getting way too common to see now!
Well-imagined and rather foreboding!
Loved how you approached this and that last line spoke volumes!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thankfully, this pandemic around, lethality is small. We may not be so lucky with the next one
A topical story, who knows perhaps did Covid do for the dinosaurs also
Love this. Especially the line “that asphyxiating stench of death he knew too well.”
Strange situation to arrive in, for sure. Feels like some areas now, doesn’t it? Including the mask on the floor…
Perhaps they returned to the sea, it would be much safer there these days.
With no suggestion of deaths, one can only imagine they fled to a safer place. An intriguing tale indeed.
Here’s mine!
Oh, well done, Rowena! Had me smiling at the end, not because of humor but because of human nature!
My first thought is vaporized or beamed up by aliens, which may or may not be a good thing. Nice mystery to ponder upon.
Thank you!
Thanks so much, Linda.
Thanks, Keith.
Sounds good to me.
So true, Dale. I have masks and gloves everywhere. I’m just lucky we barely have any community transmission here, because with my chaotic organization, I’d contaminate myself.
Thanks.
I’m not ready for the next one yet. It takes a lot of organization to survive a pandemic.
Thanks so much, Susan.
Thank you!
Yes, and they’re potentially contaminated too.
You’re welcome.
Rowena. . . You can’t throw something like this out here and leave it.
Now you must finish it..
I’m a master of suspense in these flash fiction pieces. Means I don’t have to think too hard and nut out all the details.