“Apocalypse Moon”

A collision of Earth and the Moon is genuinely possible if both endure for another 65 billion years.

I wrote “Apocalypse Moon” in August of 2018 with 101 Words in mind. I was fortunate that 101 Words ultimately selected this piece to appear in November of that year. 101 Words has a simple premise (as you’ve probably already guessed): short stories that are exactly 101 words in length. 

I strongly recommend 101 Words. Their submission process is also wonderfully simple. 

I had two sources of inspiration for “Apocalypse Moon”. The first was my fascination with the possibility that the Earth and Moon may one day collide. Of course, this is only possible if both the Earth and Moon survive the end of our Sun. However, a collision between the two is genuinely possible if each endures for another 65 billion years. 

My second source of inspiration was the fringe theory that the Moon is a hologram.

I merged these two sources and took the result a step farther to create the global conspiracy found in “Apocalypse Moon”. You can read “Apocalypse Moon” by clicking the image below. 

earthrise.jpg
EarthriseWilliam Anders 

Author: joshuajscully

That’s my picture up there. I’m not totally sure why I look so angry. I may be thinking about how much I hated the Crypt Keeper as a child. I grew up faithfully watching reruns of The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt. Unfortunately, I missed the boat in terms of writing for either of those programs. I do consider both to have been wildly influential when I think back to my earliest thoughts about becoming an author and I’m grateful my parents let me watch those shows as a kid (although there were probably some nights early in my childhood my mother wished she hadn’t let me watch those shows). If you’re familiar with either program, then you know what genres are my focus. I thoroughly enjoy science fiction, suspense, the twist ending, and some horror or supernatural elements as well. Honestly, when I was a kid the Crypt Keeper scared the hell out of me. As an adult, I’ve really learned to embrace the puns. Historical fiction is a favorite of mine as well, and the root of that is shared with my profession. I am an educator by trade, and I teach American History. I consider some of the best writing I’ve ever done to be within the realm of historical fiction and I really enjoy saturating my mind in the research end of those projects. I would make the argument that storytelling is in my blood. Even my sister mulled, very briefly (about 45 minutes), launching a career as a screenwriter! My last name is one of those Irish (and, apparently, formally Manx) ones with a wonderfully researched history -“the story-teller’s descendant”. On of the first day of school each year, I do share that “my name is Mr. Scully, and that rhymes with Kelly”, just so I do not hear the myriad of mispronunciations on the first day. Several years ago, I started a blog similar to this one to highlight my middle years as a teacher. If that aspect of my life is of any interest to you at all, you can still find that blog online. During my summers, I really have time to pursue my writing projects and this blog will highlight some of that work. My first attempts to sit down and write extensively occurred when I was 15, but only a few years ago did I make setting time aside to write a priority. I’ve also benefited wildly over the years from many willing readers among my family and friends. The direction and feedback from those individuals has been invaluable. Outside the world of the written word, I am an educator, basketball coach, lecturer, and (very, very occasionally) a landscaper. I have only ever known Western Pennsylvania as my home. Although I love a good novel, I am absolutely unable to resist the power of the short story. The latter is really what I hope to be remembered for one day.

2 thoughts on ““Apocalypse Moon””

  1. What would literally be the point of tricking us all into thinking the moon is real though?! xDD Like I don’t get these conspiracy dudes. And how would they explain the tides ? How do they explain WEREWOLVES?
    ….
    pft >>

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I totally agree. But, I also want to say that they have a reason for everything. For example, I once read an argument for the Moon being a hologram that went like this: “oh, the Moon is really there BUT what you see is a hologram projected from the Earth. The government does not want you to know what is REALLY happening on the lunar surface.” Apparently there are either: A) aliens living there or B) we have a colony there but it’s the best kept secret of mankind? That doesn’t really explain when this hologram technology came into being (I mean, what did people see during antiquity?). But those theories are out there and are just are crazy as you imagine. One guy has an entire Youtube channel devoted to it.

      Like

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