Signs

The signs just started appearing. Traced in dust or patterns of leaves. Chalked on walls. When people noticed them, they became a thing. Theories were outlined and argued. Papers were written and articles appeared in papers. The signs became clearer and bigger. They reached their apotheosis in a number of appearances in the skies above capital cities. The shapes in the sky were just patterns of water vapour - planes could fly right through them - but they persisted. As months passed, the fear and excitement which had initially made up people’s responses faded. For a while, the signs became a kind of running joke. They featured in a number of internet memes. But, gradually, they faded from the public consciousness. Some scientists continued to study them. But most people allowed themselves to forget about the signs. But they were still there. And they still meant what they had always meant.