I WAS HOMELESS, yet had the pick of the entire place. I’d ended up sleeping in a ghost town, everything brand new. Only, the fixtures didn’t work; no water, no electricity. The manikins inside and out were unsettling, yet more of a family than I’d ever had. Science Today, the scrap I’d found said nuclear families were dying out.
Some days army men roamed the streets as I hid inside a bungalow. I made it out one day on my lonesome. It was like a toy-town but lifesize, everything shiny, less solid than it appeared as if a grand metaphor for Tinseltown. Of all the places I’d slept rough the streets were hardest there.
It was such a new settlement there wasn’t even a place name. Where was it we had driven past? I’d caught the sign through a flap of green canvas as a stowaway in an army truck. Lost…Los…Las? Yes! Los Alamos. From one Los (Angeles) to another. I chuckled, cut short by hunger pangs.
I didn’t know what a mushroom cloud was. All I did know is that my body should never have survived the blast; crawling through collapsed charred concrete and grey dust.
When the military men reappeared in full body suits with masks, some scanning with handheld devices, I knew I had to escape. My veins never glowed neon green before. I’d never possesed such strength.
This would be the other half of my life, the half worth living. I’ll even tell you my name: Gregg Geiger. It humanises me, but frankly I’m not sure if I am anymore.
LionAroundWriting 
Geiger Green – the Hulk is back!
Scary stuff.
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Perhaps a nemesis?
Appreciate the read ☺
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Oooh!! Reminds me of Hulk creeping out of his…. As you mention, about another part, waiting…. 😁
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Cheers 🙂
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Good short story. Not sure if Gregg was one of the lucky ones. After a nuclear blast not sure if survivors are the lucky ones. Although now Gregg is dislaying Hulk like qualities.
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☺ I think he has inadvertently got himself some superpower. Part two is likely.
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I wish it was longer. 😦
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That was full despite it being short, and the birth of G Geiger…and his dog Counter…sorry. I loved the first paragraph and we are already transported to something of old news, scraps of in old articles nuclear family dying out, scary stuff. That was different for me.
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Thanks, I tried to get as much into it as possible, you read my intentions well ☺
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P.s. lol at Counter.
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This was a blast to read (pun intended) nothing’s better than a superhero (or supervillain born) I wonder what special skills he has except glowing.
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Haha.
I have an idea of the super power, might add a part II. I seem to have been saying that a lot lately.
Thanks again.
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Hi,
I nominated you for Liebster Award 🙂 (for you are such a lovely writer)
https://itrainsinmyheart.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/the-liebster-award/
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I appreciate it Nayana but I dont participate in them.
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🙂 That okay. just wanted you to know 🙂
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Heh, a superhero / villain origin story. Nice! Have you ever watched / read Watchmen?
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Yep, you got it. I saw the film, wasnt massively impressed with it although Rorscachs special effects were cool.
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I read the graphic novel before seeing the film, thought they were both excellent. I guess the book unveils things in a smarter way and helped me appreciate the film more. Some interesting extra bits in the novel too.
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Even though you’re writing about the aftermath of a nuclear explosion, you manage to incorporate hope and lightheartedness into the story. I enjoyed the bit of dark humour about nuclear families dying out, and appreciated the tongue-in-cheek reference to Geiger.
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Glad you got those ☺ It’s meant to be set in the 1945 when the US tested nukes at Los Alamos but its cool everyone has had a different interpretation.
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What a great story!! I don’t read sci fi much but you have added humanness to it that I was intrigued. is it part of a series as well?
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Thank you oliana. Its just a short I penned, I generally dont do series but might start one if the right idea comes along.
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