Photo by: Footy and Foodie
Keith and Aubry saw it happen whilst standing on the shore of Lake Erie. Watching the city of Detroit die was curiously beautiful, a sunset at 3:17 in the afternoon.
Luckily, scientists provided enough warning. They saw the hundred-meter asteroid coming. City planners managed to get everyone out. They had to be sneaky about it. They couldn’t broadcast, “Get out, we’re all gonna die!” The highways would’ve jammed and most would never escape. Instead, they evacuated whole neighborhoods in stages, claiming water toxicity problems. Given Michigan’s history, that was believable.
About 30-meters of nickel-iron survived reentry to strike. It was no extinction event, but enough to obliterate a city.
Watching from Magee Wildlife area, Keith said, “I’ll miss the sub sandwiches at Harry’s.”
“The pasta at Antonio’s,” sighed Aubry.
“Great cars were made in Detroit.”
“Motown was born there.”
Keith smiled wanly. “Some of the best music ever.”
As the fireball marking a city’s death rose, Keith said, “I suppose there’s a silver lining to this.”
“Huh?”
“They finally solved the parking problem downtown.”
___________________________
Written for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/11/20/fffaw-reflection/
Author’s Notes:
Worst Cities for drivers: Detroit is number 9.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/worst-cities-for-car-drivers-2015/
Chicago is on the list for worst parking, but I couldn’t do it. I’d miss the Chicago Bears and deep dish pizza too much. Anyway, I’ve never once seen a large city without a downtown parking problem.
Magee Wildlife area is real. Just look for: Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
EagleAye
Momus News 
Isn’t Detroit already dead?
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It’s definitely on its last legs. Nearly bankrupt from what I can see. That’s another reason, I chose it for this story over Chicago.
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Good. Don’t destroy Chicago. I’ve still got plans for it in my Mikiko Jahn stories.
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Hahahahaha! Finally! Detroit no longer has parking problems downtown! LOL! Great story!
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Yep. The whole thing is a parking lot now! Though the nightlife is, sadly, sorely lacking. 😉
Thanks PJ!
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Hahaha! That’s true!
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Does Detroit really have a parking problem? From what I hear, very few people want to live there, so the most likely parking problem of the downtown Detroit is that no one wants to park there. 🙂
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Haha! It probably is getting better. I’m willing to bet there’s little parking problem at all in Flint, Michigan.
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I’ve never visited Detroit, I was always worried I wouldn’t find a parking place! Ater reading some of the comments I’m not sure I want to go there, and by the way, I’m not that Keith!
Click to read my FFfAW!
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Haha! I wondered if you’d have a thought about that character name. It was that name’s turn to appear. Almost any major city’s downtown is difficult/expensive to park in. I hate parking in downtown Austin. The parking spots are all filled 24/7, and Austin doesn’t have a bad rep for parking!
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I love the way you deal so imaginatively and economically with the method of evacuating the city!
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Hehe. If it ever comes to that (let’s hope not) I hope a city really can be evacuated so easily. Glad you enjoyed this. Thanks Penny! 🙂
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Poor Detroit, I hope it rises from the ashes, like the Phoenix’
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Me too. This time they can build it bigger and better.
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