Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and my lovely minions for reading.
Photo copyright Kent Bonham
Otto leaned against the wall, same as every day before. Behind sunglasses, his sightless eyes stared blankly into the silky blackness. Not a single sound graced his keen ears.
The hustle and bustle of tourists through the corridor put meaning in his life- not to mention food on his table. His daily interactions brought joy to his world- a symphony of sound, smell and touch. In a world of total darkness, the ever changing travelers were his light.
The streets were normally alive with foot traffic by late morning.
Not a soul passed by that day, or any day after.
Adam Ickes 
November 14th, 2013 at 1:24 PM
That is seriously disturbing. How is a blind man to make sense of what is happening when the world falls silent. Good concept Adam.
November 17th, 2013 at 3:20 PM
Thanks, Sandra. I tend to enjoy silence myself, but I have my vision to rely on. Without that, silence would be terrifying.
November 14th, 2013 at 1:26 PM
A great mystery of what happened to all those people… and also now what will happen to Otto, without those sounds lighting up his life.
November 17th, 2013 at 3:21 PM
I’ve been working on a story that expands on both questions. Perhaps I’ll post it when its finished.
November 14th, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Gosh, he must have been in Atlantis! But very well told, especially something about the words, “or any day after”.
November 17th, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
November 14th, 2013 at 2:33 PM
Well, I meant to get drunk first and rant, but I’m not sure what happened. He either died, or the corridor was closed or destroyed, or he went deaf. Effective piece, well done! But you can tell me …shhh —what happened?
November 17th, 2013 at 3:24 PM
It’s a good thing you didn’t get drunk and rant. It would have been flagged as spam. I only accept HALF drunken rants. There may be a piece that expands on what happened (not as part of FF) in the future. Keep your eyes peeled and try not to fall asleep, old man.
November 14th, 2013 at 2:41 PM
This immediately made me think Day of the Triffids!
This could be a few parts on after your Invasion FF piece – maybe it has started and all the other humans have fled…
November 17th, 2013 at 3:25 PM
This actually is a part of that same story. I’m working on a story that expands on this that may end up posted here on my blog in the future is I like the finished result.
November 15th, 2013 at 8:09 AM
the sudden silence must be very frightening for him… great story 🙂
November 17th, 2013 at 3:25 PM
I imagine it was terrifying.
November 15th, 2013 at 9:16 AM
Great story my dear. Wow! I most definitely want to know more.
Love, Renee
November 17th, 2013 at 3:26 PM
The story of Otto doesn’t end here. If you’re lucky I’ll post more of it. 🙂
November 17th, 2013 at 5:03 PM
Wonderful. I can’t wait!
November 15th, 2013 at 11:06 AM
Okay… next, please… don’t make me beg, darling — don’t go all “crappy ending of LOST” on me — explain! Explain! Eggs PLAAAAAAANE! Where’d all the people go???
November 17th, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Eggs plane… haha. Love it. I’m working on a longer piece about the events that led to this. It may get posted here when it’s finished.
November 16th, 2013 at 3:54 AM
I understood that he’d died, or everyone else had. Intriguing. I like it.
November 17th, 2013 at 3:28 PM
It wasn’t him that died. It was everyone else. He’s at a serious disadvantage in his new world being blind and alone.
November 16th, 2013 at 1:51 PM
Where did everybody go?
November 17th, 2013 at 3:30 PM
They died (how will likely be revealed in a future post), but Otto’s story doesn’t end with their deaths.
November 17th, 2013 at 8:59 PM
Oh…
November 17th, 2013 at 3:57 PM
I’ve always thought I would prefer (if forced to choose) to be deaf, rather than blind. But to be blind and hear no sounds would be disorienting and completely terrifying.
janet
November 18th, 2013 at 6:16 AM
Dear Adam,
You’ve conveyed the terror of being blind in a silent world well. I could feel the panic and you left me wanting to know more.
shalom,
Rochelle
November 19th, 2013 at 4:04 AM
oh,oh,not all silence is golden then?We,those who are blessed with all our 5 senses intact,can never imagine such a world!Great take on the prompt:-)
November 23rd, 2013 at 9:29 AM
Very intriguing! Same as Rochelle’s comment, I got the sense of panic that he must be feeling after reading the last line. This story is longer than the hundred words you’ve written.
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