Take a very close look at this photo.

cave-creature

Can you see that dark creature? It’s staring back at you. See its eyes?

Don’t look away from it. Stare at the creature for at least five seconds, and you’ll see exactly what it is.

Here, take another look. Remember, look at it for at least five seconds.

cave-creature

Did you stare at it for at least five seconds?

Did it reveal what it was to you?

Did you notice how it moved slightly?

No? Then take a final look. Remember, stare at it for at least five seconds. If you do, you’ll see it move slightly and reveal its secret.

cave-creature

Did it work? No? Then I’m going to have to tell you.

You see, that creature is the creak of the door. That faint sound you hear in the middle of the night wakes you up and makes you freeze, unable to move. That feeling terrifies you even though you’re not sure you heard a noise.

That creature is the creak of the trees as you walk past them. It’s the faint sound of those footsteps behind you. It’s the one ring of the telephone that stops and makes you wonder if anybody is really calling you. The chill passes through your body when somebody walks over your grave. That creature is the whisper you think you heard when you were all alone.

That creature only sleeps on the night of Halloween. That’s the one night you can rest, knowing you’ll be safe…unless…you stared at the photo for more than five seconds.

Did I not mention that the photo is cursed and that nobody should stare at it for more than five seconds or have read this post? Now you’re cursed. You see, that creature is me. I’m right behind you right now! Whatever you do, don’t look behind you. In fact, never ever look behind you ever again. Never! You see, if you do, then…

I am the creature.


Written in response to Sue Vincent’s The Thursday Photo Prompt #writephoto – Over at The Daily Echo.

Photo credits to Sue Vincent.

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97 responses to “Flash Fiction – Creature”

  1. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

    I’ll never turn or look over my shoulder again. What have you done to me? o_O O_o Eeeekkke.
    :-D :-D good one, Hugh.

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Good to hear, Tess. Tomorrow, you’re safe; I sleep during Halloween, but then there’s the 364 other days of the year…😱

  2. willowdot21 avatar

    Arrrrrrrrrrgh! A Hugh Monster. OMG I am really scared now.xxxx

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      I’m sure you’ll be safe, Willow. Just don’t behind you…Ok? 😱

      1. willowdot21 avatar

        Hellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllp!!!!!

  3. Terri Webster Schrandt avatar

    Just read this in the daylight around a crowd of people. Creepy indeed, but that is surely the eye of a sleeping dragon. I’m safe! I hold up my cross, garlic cloves and silver stake, LOL!

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Good for you, Terri, but did you look behind you yet? 😱

  4. Marje @ Kyrosmagica avatar

    Ohh Hugh I thought you were a sweet chap now I’m beginning to think you’re a bit of a devil. :)

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      What? After all those lovely short stories I wrote, Marje? 👻

      1. Marje @ Kyrosmagica avatar

        I should have known…. !!!

  5. John W. Howell avatar

    I just hung wolfbane and garlic all over the place. Good one, Hugh. *blink blink* Slowly I turned……

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      And you still think you’re safe, John? 😱 I like garlic with my pasta.

  6. Hugh's Views and News avatar

    Happy Halloween, Chloe 👻

  7. renxkyoko avatar

    I stared for waaaay more than 5 seconds, waiting for it to move. Nothing.

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      That’s because…it’s behind you. But, whatever you do, don’t look. 😱

  8. Hugh's Views and News avatar

    Thank you. I’ll see if I can come up with something in time. 👻
    Happy Halloween.

  9. Judy E Martin avatar

    Oh you really gave me the creeps with that Hugh as I stared at it for quite a while. Your menacing ending made me shiver!
    You definitely excel at these dark, creepy stories!! 🎃🎃🎃🎃

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      And there’s everyone thinking I was a quiet boy, Judy. 😀

      Creepy will have to be my middle name. Now, I’m off to feed the creature. Oh, hang on. He seems to be hiding behind somebody. Now, who is it? Oh no! 😱

      1. Judy E Martin avatar

        Ooooh now you just stop that! :-)

  10. Judy E Martin avatar

    Reblogged this on Edwina's Episodes and commented:
    This creeped me right out. Perfect for Halloween!

  11. Brenda avatar

    I have to admit that I did stare for more than the 5 second limit lol. Am I the only one who sees a cute little black dog with slightly curly, medium length fur?

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Arh, that’s great. That means it’s worked, Brenda. Now, no looking behind you, otherwise…😱

      1. Brenda avatar

        I should also admit that I’ve never been that great of a listener lol :)

  12. bobcabkings avatar
    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Happy Halloween. Remember, no looking behind you. 👻

  13. Ali Isaac avatar
    Ali Isaac

    Oooer, Hugh… not sure that was what I needed at Halloween! I’ll admit, its not a side of you I saw, or even suspected last June in London. But then they do say the quiet ones are the worst…

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Oh, I do, Ali. Come to think of it, you were always very quiet until you met me 😀
      Now, remember, no looking behind you if you read all of this post. 😱

      1. Ali Isaac avatar
        Ali Isaac

        Haha! I can’t imagine anything more guaranteed to make me look behind me! Lol! 😂😂😂

  14. Darlene avatar

    A good one, Hugh. Happy Halloween!

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Thanks, Darlene. Happy Halloween to you. Remember, don’t look behind you…😱

      1. Darlene avatar

        I won´t, but early this morning when I took the dog for a walk we encountered a black cat who kept following us. Not sure who was more frightened, the dog or me.

        1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

          The creature has been known to shift shape, Darlene. 🐱🕷

  15. Sue Vincent avatar

    That’s really creepy, Hugh :)

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Oh good. I’m glad you said that, Sue. Just so long as you didn’t read all of the post or stare at that photo for more than five seconds then you should…😱

      1. Sue Vincent avatar

        Ah… er…well….;)

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