Microfiction #6 — Divine Punishment

It started a week ago without any warning. A blinding light shining from the sky, and my friend Anthony was gone, burned to a crisp. And it happened when he was at work, of all places. Poor guy.

Later that day another co-worker suffered the same fate.

And someone else the day after.

On the third day, two perished. They were right next to each other. Whatever punishment the gods had in place for us, it was definitely a lazy one.

On the fourth day, I was afraid for my life. We all were, but there was no way of telling when and how many would succumb. The gods were merciful that day, though, and only one of us was sacrificed.

By the fifth day what was striking me the most was how apathetic we all had been throughout. It’s not like anyone could do anything about it, but I was expecting at least some enragement. Three perished that day and we just made our way around the deceased and kept going. Who are we to not empathise with this revolting fate bestowed upon us? Are we so focused on our societal roles to ignore the pain of others just like us?

I tried to convince as many as I could to revolt as the sixth day was upon us, but to no avail. Even though my pleas were heard by those close to me, they did not share my anguish, so my message did not go far.

Enough is enough, and by the seventh day I decided to do something about it, albeit small. If the gods were striking us one by one, at least I would go on my own terms. As I left my post, much to no one’s notice, I was free from that system, free from their apathy, free from their slavery. The gods took notice of my efforts and rewarded me with a way out this retched world. The pain was agonising for a brief moment, and then suddenly subsided leaving me to peacefully embrace my final moments on this planet.

And then little Bobby took his magnifying glass away and ran home for dinner.