Remembering Asterville

Within an hour, most of the adults were on their way to Janelle’s place. It was the only house that sat on a hilltop, and was situated in such a way that you could see it from anywhere in town. From our window, they looked like ants running up a mound, racing against time before curfew started. I settled on my couch just under the window, and began watching television. It wasn’t long before my eyes got heavy and I found myself drifting off.

Minutes later I was thrust out of my restful state by a tremendous boom, followed by a ground shift below my feet. Turning to the window, a bright light swallowed everything in front of me. I could no longer see Janelles’s place. It's time, I thought to myself. But it's too soon. Outside was dead silent and the light was still too bright to see past it. I have to go underground now. My parents would surely be coming back soon and they would want me to get to safety. I grabbed my little brother and raced to the entrance below our basement stairs. Two smaller booms could be heard in the distance. I got inside, closing the door behind me but not sealing it yet. I felt cool air coming from the pipes above-maybe this is the clean air system the scientist was taking about. Maybe they had to start it early.

For over an hour I waited for my parents to come. When they didn't, I made my way back up the stairs. It was so quiet. Running towards the window, I expected to see swarms of people leaving Janelle’s place to get home. Nothing could have prepared me for the view from my window.

The once lavish house on the hill had been reduced to a smoldering patch of land, like it was vaporized and only the burn marks remained. The homes and small farms that once lined the streets leading up the hill were flattened or had disappeared completely. Debris was scattered as far as the most distant aster fields.

Am I dreaming? Where did everyone go? What is going on? Is this what was supposed to happen with the meteor? I had no one to answer my questions and lacked the mental capacity to even begin to try to understand any of it. Turning with my back towards the window, I sat awkwardly on the edge of the couch. I was overcome with shock, unable to move, I could barely breathe. A small cry broke the nothingness around me. My brother!! Dashing down the stairs, and into the shelter I sealed the door behind me. Resting on the cot, I held Cody in front of me. Are we the only one’s left in this world?

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To continue reading, visit: www.jennymena.wixsite.com/mywords/remembering-asterville

Remembering Asterville by Jenny Mena

Short Story Fiction

Young adult/adult

Full story word count: 4959

Synopsis: A remote town is informed of potential meteor with possible radiation risk. They are advised to build shelters and soon live underground for five years. Something goes terribly wrong before anyone can get to safety. A few lone survivors discover that all is not what it seems and what really happened runs much deeper than they could have ever imagined.

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When originally creating this story, I had to limit the word count to under 5000. After finishing it, I realized it was well over 8000, and had to omit many details regarding the setting and character development. This piece has a lot of room to expand and I believe the original story could become something much bigger-which would make for a good fit for anyone trying to pick up a great idea.

Bio/my writing

I began writing when I was in third grade. My teacher at the time took an interest in my work and really motivated me to pursue it. As life would have it, my writing began dwindling to almost nothing other than reports and research papers. In college, I studied many subjects, and picked up Associates Degrees in Liberal Studies, Communication Studies and General Science, then later received my Vocational Nursing Diploma and License. After more than five years of nursing, I began studying law independently, which I thoroughly enjoyed and plan to eventually make a career out of. I recently left my native state of California after 41 years, and found myself in Nevada. For whatever reason, call it boredom if you will, being here has rekindled my writing and now I am fully immersed in it- much as I should have always done. It is extremely therapeutic and truly brings me joy.

As long as I could remember I have been a creative writer of mostly poetry. Just this year, I began challenging myself by writing in different lengths and genres, and I try to submit my work to just about any contests or challenges that I can find. Remembering Asterville was my very first semi-Sci-Fi piece I ever even attempted, and I was surprised to find how much I really enjoyed it. I am quite proud to say that I have finally finished creating my online writing portfolio, Jennymena.Wixsite.com/mywords. It has taken months, maybe even years, but it is there finally, and I continue to add to it.

There is a great deal of my personality within my work. Although it is hard to find if you don't know what to look for. I am very easy going, open minded, and have a bit of a witty approach to my sense of humor. My blog, "Attitude Your Change" is very telling of the type of person I am, as I openly include some of my beliefs, motivations, loves, and pains as well. Other than writing, I love cooking, being outside, working hard (seriously!) and spending time with my son and partner. My eventual goal is book writing, but in the mean time, I am really enjoying the process of expanding and improving my writing.

Thank you for reading!

Jenny Mena