Use the image below as inspiration to create a post on your own blog… poetry, prose, humour… light or dark, whatever you choose, as long as it is fairly family-friendly.
Eve was her name. A woman one man feared: that man, me.
She wanted humanity to worship her. She made those that were left celebrate her life by giving her a day when they celebrated the beauty that only came to Eve when it was dark.
During the darkness, bonfires lit up the skies so all could see what fate awaited them.
Nobody knew where Eve came from. At first, nobody seemed to care about it. Nobody asked questions until it was too late.
Everyone would welcome Eve into their lives. Everyone would welcome her into their homes. Eve asked for nothing in return. Well, I say nothing. The only thing Eve wanted was to be noticed.
Eve touched the lives of everyone. She made people laugh; she made people cry. She made people strong; she made them weak. Humankind trusted her. That was how it always looked to Eve. She was like anything else that lived on planet Earth.
Humanity thought they were the most potent form of life. After all, humankind had made the Earth its own. Anything that wanted to share the Earth had to abide by the rules of man. How sinful humanity was.
For a while, Eve followed the rules of humanity. But then she grabbed an opportunity to break the rules.
The day Eve escaped was the turning point.
Eve wanted all of humanity to witness the beauty that only came to her when the lights went out. Eve wanted all of humanity to notice her. Now was her chance to do just that.
As Eve made her way onto the city streets and into the communities, a new future dawned.
The rest is an unfolding story that will never end.
Eve believes there’s no such thing as an ending. It’s just the point at which you decide to leave her story.
Written in response to the ‘writephoto’ challenge hosted by Sue Vincent at the Daily Echo. Click here for more details.
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Hugh's Views & News 
I saw the photo prompt and your title “Eve” and thought the story would be about “
New Year’s Eve as it brings a lot of different emotions and activity in people’s lives. And, it’s at night. And, there’s color from fireworks and there are lots of people on the streets. As your story progressed, I thought it would end with Eve turning a switch leading to total darkness in the world, never to be another dawn…
It’s amazing how one photo can spark off so many different stories, Liesebt. New Year’s Eve never crossed my mind when I saw the photo prompt, but it may have done had it been December. Thanks for letting me know where the story was taking you. I always enjoy readers telling me what direction the story had them on.
Hi, Hugh – I had the same thoughts as Terri, i.e. Eve is Covid.
Truly masterful!
Thank you, Donna.
As I was scrolling down the comments, I had a different comment in mind, but I stopped and read Terri’s comment and I have to say, Indeed! Eve is Lady Corona. Excellent tale! ❤
Thank you, Debby. My subconscious mind played a big part in putting this piece of flash fiction together.
I was a bit captive reading this.
Only a bit? Lol. That’s better than not at all, though. Thank you.
I love picture prompts. They mean something different to everyone.
I hear the name Eve and think of first Woman. Looking at the picture Eve must be first no matter what the cost even if she is that last to survive
Stay Well and Laugh a Lot
There is a story behind every picture, but you’re right in saying that there are lots more too. You only have to look at all the other entries that were created from this prompt to see how many stories there are. It’s all great fun and keeps our imaginations going strong.
I agree with Esther; you go from strength to strength; not just show don’t tell but leaving a lot for the reader to add their own thoughts and additions. Interesting how this could become dystopian and sinister or life affirming and golden, depending how you imagine Eve’s actions going forward.
Thanks, Geoff. High praise indeed. The only dystopian sort of story I’ve written before was ‘The Truth App.’ Maybe it’s a genre I should give more of my time to?
Worth seeing what comes out. I loved JG Ballard as much for his twisted imagination as the quality of his stories. Taking something so familiar as a shopping centre and turning it into a nightmare was very clever.
Amazing, how this picture inspired you to inspire us, Hugh. You made me think and (as it was said in the comments), the last line is very good!
Thanks, Erika. The last line is one I heard in a movie, although I have, of course, changed some it too fit into my story. Whenever I do one of these writing prompts, I often get inspiration not just from the prompt, but also from current or past events I have witnessed.
Isn’t that what inspiration makes? That’s why it is important that we keep eyes, ears, and the heart open to get inspired and to make new things grow from it. I love it when this happens 😃
Same here, Erika. Even some of the comments left on blog posts create inspiration and ideas. All we need to do is to know where to find them (which I think is the easy part).
Precisely, Hugh! I agree! And that is one of the benefits of interation! So, thank you very much for your inspiring replies 😊
You may not like this, Hugh, but I see Eve as the vehicle fo Covid-19. Almost everything you wrote can point back to this. To me, this is a futuristic metaphor for our possible new normal (although I hate saying that). Nobody knew where Eve came from…, Eve was loved…a nod to fellow humans who unknowingly spread the virus. Eve wanted to be noticed…um yep! Some instinctively feared her at first, then, humanity was sinful…well I think you see where I’m going with this. Perhaps COVID-19 only stunned your writing mojo for a bit. but what you wrote is quite amazing, even if it was unintended. Or was it? Eve is pissed and nature always has her way. Masterful!
Wow, thanks, Terri. I love what you say. Your comment is excellent. Did you read my mind? All I will say in my answer to you is that there were a few drafts of this piece of flash fiction before I was happy with it and pushed the ‘publish button. The very last change I made was to the line – ‘As Eve made her way onto the city streets and into the communities, a new future dawned.’ Here’s the original line – ‘As Eve made her way onto the city streets of Wuhan, a new future dawned.
I love it when readers interpret a story differently.
The metaphor occurred to me quickly, Hugh. Your eloquent words personified covid in this unique way👏 I’m sure these events will spawn countless new stories and books as time goes on.
I agree, Terri. I think current world events will spark books, movies, TV shows and lots more over the coming years.
Thanks again for such great feedback on this particular piece of flash fiction.
That’s a nice idea, that the stories continue even after we stop reading…hmmm. 🙂
Yes, I love that thought too. It makes you think what might have happened after reading ‘The End.’
Great piece. Love the last 2 lines.
Thank you. I’m delighted with how this short piece of fiction unravelled.
A great and engaging tale Hugh…and I love that last line.
Thank you, Sue. I’ll be honest and say I pitched that last line off something Judy Dench once said. However, I did change it a little.
Inspiration is all around us 😉
Love how you ended this, Hugh!
Thank you, Ritu.
That is a great photo prompt! And very entertaining story, Hugh.
Thank you, Esther. That’s fantastic feedback. I really appreciate it coming from someone who is an expert at storytelling and who I learned so much from about writing short fiction.
I always enjoy reading your stories, Hugh. You have improved so much over the years 😁
Wow! Thank you, Esther. Writing is excellent for improving storytelling. I also keep telling myself to show and not tell.
Great! That’s such a useful writing tool to keep in mind as you write.