Shuddering ground and vibrating furniture were the first signs. On the horizon, Fern could see the emergence of a Hill Giant, its lumbering figure tearing apart the forests that had entombed it. Her small village was at the edge of the river at the base of the glen, and in its sleepy streets and farms, they were insulated from much of the urban development occurring across the world during this period of rapid industrialisation.
The quaking sundered the village, ripping apart its leylines, their magic vital for the village’s meagre energy production. Fern ran to the back door of her house, nearly pulling the door off its hinges.
“Kids, get in, quickly!”
Her children were playing in their garden, investigating the bugs and insects that had made their home amongst overturned logs and old leaf piles. They could barely hear their mother over the sound of collapsing infrastructure and the groans of the awakening giant. The quake was almost like a game to them, and they all made an attempt at staying upright as the ground shook relentlessly beneath their feet.
“Kiara, Robin, Michael! Come here, now!” Fern felt her frustration mounting. She burst into the garden, struggling to keep upright as she made her way to the children.
Robin was the first to notice their mother approaching. Through grins and chuckles, he waved her over.
Fern’s heart sunk as the worst happened. The ground behind Robin opened up, swallowing Kiara and Michael whole. Robin soon lost his own footing. Time stood still as he tumbled backwards, calling out to his mother for help. She sprinted forward; her arm outstretched. Her fingertips touched Robin’s, but it was too late. His legs buckled beneath him, and his body was hurled into the abyss below.
Today's prompt: energy production
This week's worldbuilding prompt: natural disasters
If you'd like to participate too, the contest/prompts can be found here:
@mariannewest/day-1639-5-minute-freewrite-monday-prompt-energy-production
@worldbuilder/worldbuilding-prompt-248-solar-flares-meteors-etc
