Clear blue sky

There was a flash of light.

Then the hot wind blew across the city. The buildings stumbled to the ground, screeching and thundering as they fell into their rubble.

Only then did the people look up. Their clothes, and hair, and skin, burned and hanging.

Red raw, and screaming they ran to the blackened river. The thirst of their wounds drove them to drink from the waters.

Others stumbled amongst the shadows of their fellow citizens, dust rising from their scorched feet or drifted from walls as they were touched by mutilated hands

So many lay down to sleep forever.