Here’s my story for the Wednesday prompt on May 31, 2023.
I watched the parade safely tucked away in my shop through nearly-closed drapes. The doors were shut tight, my gas lamp burning so low I could barely see my plants and wares.
No one knew I was here, despite lines of people crowding outside of my shop to get a better look at the soldiers going off to war.
Flags waved, chanting and cheers shook my walls. I parted the drapes for a better look then returned to my tea.
Just another parade, just another group of men going off to war.
I finished my tea then read the leaves. All was going as expected, not that anyone cared that I’d been warning them about this war for years. I’m just a silly old bat, nothing to hear here.
Ha.
I peeked outside again.
There, a boy with a hat standing behind a fancy car. I looked closer, noting the odd shape of the standard issue hat. Something strange was sewn into the stitching.
I opened the drapes more, almost pressing my forehead against the window. The boy couldn’t be…
Flowers were tucked into his uniform breast pocket, but they weren’t blue or red or white or any of the other expected colors.
No, they were black.
The next prophecy fulfilled.
I sighed, leaning back into my chair and closing the drapes entirely.
Battle was coming to this city next, and it was time to leave. They hadn’t listened to me before, and there was no helping them now.
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