“The Last Headline” was in response to a flash fiction challenge to the image and serves as poignant reminder of the impact media can have on our mental health. The news tends to be negative. It’s a call to reclaim our peace of mind and find balance amidst the chaos. This flash fiction encourages readers to step away from the screens and appreciate the world around them, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a moment of reflection and calm.
At Mind on Fire Books, we curate stories that speak to the human experience, and “The Last Headline” does just that—highlighting our collective anxieties and offering a hopeful perspective.
The Last Headline
Sam sat glued to his TV as the latest doomsday prediction flashed across the screen: an asteroid hurtling toward Earth. The anchor’s voice, thick with urgency, echoed in his mind.
Panicked, Sam tried calling loved ones, but the lines were dead. As he watched scenes of chaos and desperation unfold, a realization hit him: he had let fear dictate his life, isolated by a screen.
In a moment of defiance, Sam unplugged the TV and opened his window. Outside, birds chirped, the sun shone, and a gentle breeze whispered through the trees. The serene reality starkly contrasted the apocalyptic images in his mind.
He took a deep breath, savoring the calm. Maybe the world wasn’t ending after all.
Copyright © By Mind on Fire Books
This fiction piece was written by dark fiction author, Willy Martinez, to be released on the Ritual Blog for Mind on Fire Books.
Author of dark fiction Mythology, “The Siguanaba” and Willy Martinez is also featured in our anthology Mad Men.
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