Image: Barb CT of the blog, Gallimaufry.
It was the old-timers who remembered. The times when the harbour was alive with commerce and trade. When fish as long as your arm could be caught off the jetty.
Then the great death came, the fish went away, people who went in the water became sick, it became a place to be feared.
Most moved away but a few stayed as they had nowhere else to go.
Over the years they evolved their own lifestyle.
They could fish but it was a three-hour drive to a safe place. They learned to grow their own food.
They sustained a life for themselves built around the memories of the past.
Last week was a glimmer of hope. A sea bird appeared. One old timer threw in a line and caught a fish, just a small one but a sign that life was maybe returning. It was cause for hope.
Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2016/11/13/fffaw-challenge-week-of-november-15-2016/
Morpethroad 
Great story, Michael! All seems to be lost in your story but the light shines at the end. Thank goodness!
Thank you Joy
Michael this is well written. At first I almost feel a dystopian end of the world vibe. But you artfully remind us time goes on and bad things can be restored, life will be normal again soon.
Thank you I think in bad times you have hope that things will turn around so the smallest sign gives you hope.
Good work. I like the sign of hope at the end and the strength of those that remained to endure.
Thank you Iain appreciate your encouraging comment.
The oceans and natures bounty. This story illustrates what can go wrong if we ignore that, glad you gave us a glimmer of hope. Mike
This makes me wonder about the great death and what could have caused it. Eerie parallelism with the destruction occurring in our own oceans. Great writing Michael!
Thank you so much Jade..
I love how Hope emerges in the end! Love happy endings!
Thank you so much.
I do like this a lot, as a conflict between an old way of life and modernity. Great job!
Thank you so much. I appreciate you stopping by.
Nice story- inspiring and gentle.
Thank you so much.😄
You are welcome! Look forward to reading more.