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.

© 2016 Copyright-All rights reserved-hughsviewsandnews.com.


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97 responses to “Flash Fiction – Creature”

  1. Sherri avatar

    Wonderful to see you in such great form Hugh…but now I’m regretting reading this post, lol! That is one creepy photo and story…perfect! And a very Happy Halloween to you too! :-) xxx

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Thanks, Sherri. I’ve Sue, over at Daily Echo, to thank for this piece of writing. It was the photo she posted that brought this creature alive.

      Happy Halloween.
      xx

      1. Sherri avatar

        Ahh…great writing prompt! Thanks Hugh, am typing in between handing out sweets to trick or treaters…thin on the ground this evening so far…the trick or treaters, not the sweets! All the more for us though :D Happy Halloween to you too and I’ll email you tomorrow :-) xxx

        1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

          Hope you enjoyed Halloween, Sherri. We were out at the Sister-in-laws for dinner, so all those chocolates I bought for the trick or treaters are now all my treats. 😀
          xx

          1. Sherri avatar

            We did, thanks Hugh! Oooh…enjoy!!! xxx

  2. olganm avatar

    I’m not turning around ever, Hugh! Fabulous!

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Not even for me, Olga?
      Oh, I forgot. I am the creature.

      Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

  3. Sacha Black avatar

    umm. *shudder* feeling more than somewhat creeped out!

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      You? Creeped out? Are you revealing another side to me? 😱Mwhahahah 😱

      1. Sacha Black avatar

        I don’t do scary films! Imagination is far too big for that!

        1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

          You know, I can’t do them anymore, either. The last one I watched (Paranormal Activity) had me freaked out for months. Scariest thing I’d ever seen. But I do like to send the shivers through my readers.

  4. Hugh's Views and News avatar

    Oh no! Not that cat again, Claudette. Is it the one from my short story ‘Needles’, I wonder? 😱

  5. Hugh's Views and News avatar

    Thanks, Elizabeth. It’s amazing what people see me (the creature) as.
    Happy Halloween. 👻

  6. Cherry Harris avatar

    Good morning Hugh you monster you 😀First time writing back to you . You gave me no choice …quick look behind you I may be there …tee hee happy Halloween.
    Cherryx

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Good morning, Cherry. A Happy Halloween to you. 👻 Welcome to the creature’s blog. A place where anything can happen…to its readers. 😱

  7. jjspina avatar

    Reblogged this on Jemsbooks and commented:
    Oooh, don’t look behind you! Something is creepy, crawly and goes bump into the night! From the king of the unexpected, Hugh Roberts, provides the scene for a scary short story for Halloween. Happy Halloween to all!

  8. jjspina avatar

    Oooh, Hugh, you got me! I was really concentrating on the photo and even enlarged it to get a closer look. I should have known you were going to try something tricky! LOL! Your words gave me the creeps. I am stilll not looking behind me! :)

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      I’m so pleased to hear that about my words, Janice. The creature takes great pleasure when it does its job well.
      Thank you for reblogging and sharing the post. You’re now safe, unless…😱

  9. Colleen Chesebro avatar
    Colleen Chesebro

    This was fabulous, Hugh! Dang it! I’ve got to go… something’s chasing me…

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Thank you, Colleen. If it’s chasing you, then you’re safe. It can’t run very fast. However, it’s very good at hiding behind you. Did I tell you that? 😱
      Happy Halloween.

      1. Colleen Chesebro avatar
        Colleen Chesebro

        What??? LOL! Happy Halloween!

  10. quiall avatar

    Well done! Deliciously creepy!

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Thank you. I just hope nobody looks behind themselves.

  11. Urspo avatar
  12. TanGental avatar

    you’re horrible. How am I meant to sleep now?

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Very well, I hope, Geoff. But don’t look behind the pillow! Just saying…😱

  13. jan avatar

    Oh no, I’m cursed!

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Are you sure, Jan? Have you looked behind you…yet? 😱

  14. Ritu avatar

    Omg! Hugh@ that was creepy!
    I’m cursed now though…..

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      lol, no, only of you read the whole post or stared at that photo for more than 5 seconds. You didn’t, did you, Ritu? Ritu?
      Ritu? OMG, Ritu? 😱

      1. Ritu avatar

        😱😱😱😱😱

  15. Erika Kind avatar

    Thank you for helping me and revealing the secret and that from now on I will never ever sleep again. Well done 👍😄

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Sleep tight, Erika. Did I say ‘Don’t look under the pillow?’

      1. Erika Kind avatar

        Thank God, you didn’t 😂

        1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

          There’s still tomorrow night. And the night after, and the night after, and the night after… 😱

          1. Erika Kind avatar

            See, that is the good part of bein 40+ and having a busy life….. you forget easier 😂

            1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

              But the creature never forgets who it needs to visit; especially on dark creepy nights when victims are on their own. Was that your front door I could hear creaking? 😱

            2. Erika Kind avatar

              Hahaha… you don’t give up… lol! It will be the scariest night ever tonight…. 🙈 😤 😱 😰

Leave a reply to Erika Kind Cancel reply

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