“When the Birds Slept”

The birds nearly ended us, but we refused to die.

We buried ourselves underground, where their eyes could not see, their ears could not hear. We discovered Miracle Women who were not charmed by the bird Songs and kept them safe. They bore fierce and wonderful children, immune to Songs.

We built clever machines that looked like harmless beasts of the field but with legs to jump high, claws to climb, and teeth to rend. We set them to hunt with our children at night when the birds slept.

Once, Gaia had raged. Today, her winged emissaries sued for peace.

———

Today’s story takes place some time after the events of “The Last Girl” and borrows the style of “On Storm Day”.  There’s a whole post-apocalyptic world behind these stories, the outlines of which have only begun to take shape in my head. For instance, I see the Miracle Women (who I just thought up because the name sounded cool) as a cross between keepers of lore and teachers of the children who would grow to hunt the bird menace and rebuild civilization. They shape the future of humanity but I really don’t know much about them. Maybe someone will pick up the ball and run with it or perhaps a Miracle Woman will show up in a later story.

Oh, I broke a Friday Fiction story rule I set for myself. Do you see what I did?

While I’m asking questions, may I share a vision with you? I see many stories posted here written by me but illustrated by artists whose work I admire, perhaps one a week. Wouldn’t that be cool? I don’t have the money such a vision would require but perhaps that would make a fine goal for a Patreon campaign one day. It is a tantalizing potential future. Tell me what you think, please!

As always, Friday Fiction began this week with Darleen at protein wisdom, who leads us into the future. Or at least a future?

BigGator5 took his story to another world entirely. Nice job!

Carrie gives us a look at the early life of a familiar character (if you read her stories, that is, and you should!)

After a week off, Matthew Newman published a new installment of his ongoing “Through the Mirror” saga.

Tania Gail continued the story of Alex and Lucy and their love for each other and magic and cookies.