‘Quiet’ and ‘peaceful’ weren’t synonymous. Peace was far from Jonathan’s mind as he swept the quiet neighborhood, making sure the final evacuees were gone.
Houses were empty, but he saw signs of life everywhere. Penciled lines on a wall marking the growth of a child—‘BRENDAN’—long gone. A suitcase spilled across a driveway in haste. Manicured lawns, never to be mowed again. Front doors left wide open.
‘Truce’ and ‘peace’ also meant different things. Hostilities had ceased, but now Earth was being surrendered to the victors. Humans would only find peace off-world.
Some would, anyway. Truces, like evacuations, were temporary.
wow, great story. Sounds like the intro of something bigger.
Nicely done. Agree there’s more there.
last line packs a punch. Sadly very true in today’s world.
wonderfully affecting, I agree with other comments give us more …
Moving, realistic, heart-wrenching, and powerful. The ending is sadly very true.
Nice write.
I too think this could be made into something bigger. This sounds like a promo summary you would read on the back of a book to make you want to buy it!