Lots of questions among the readers about this one. But I think I might be right about my interpretation.

To me, this is an "End Of Times" story as decreed by the Man Upstairs. God has given the order to start fresh because the current world population has screwed up terribly and disappointed the big guy.

These two men represent the Angel of Death and Adam (who calls Eve to say they have a month to try and talk the Creator out of pulling the plug.)

The two cities are in Russia and China.

The first time was the FLOOD, and this time it's the BOOM!

I enjoyed the read very, very much, but I was distracted by the purpose of the house being irrelevant to the story.

Maybe the house where they meet is in a Holy Land.

There must be a few shacks in Bethlehem

Hey writer,

I liked this, although it felt overwritten at times for me.

And yes, it was a little ambiguous at times but no so much I didn't think I could understand it... that's assuming I'm right in thinking it was about schizophrenic terrorist talking to an imaginary friend before he blows stuff up?

Jokes! I think it's about man's fall in the Garden of Eden, right?

Good luck!

Thank you all for your fair and insightful comments. Seems it was a little too ambiguous, must bear that in mind.

D.A,

Quoted Text At the moment I get the impression that with the two detonations, a world-ending volley will commence between the two nations. That would end one book and begin the next. I am eager to find out, assuming you provide a post-contest reveal if I was close.

Yeah, that's very close to what I was going for, Big Lew nailed it.

Pleb,

Quoted Text that's assuming I'm right in thinking it was about schizophrenic terrorist talking to an imaginary friend before he blows stuff up?

Liking that idea, think this would've worked better on that premise!