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. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

    Excellent Hugh… Now I thought it was Mini Mouse lol without her shoes on.. Enough to scare anyone.. ;-)
    Great Halloween teaser Hugh.. Sorry I turned up for the curse a little late.. :-)

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Oh, you haven’t, Sue. The curse operates 364 days of the year. The creature only sleeps on Halloween. 😱

      1. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

        :-) haha… Luckily for me.. I have some special magical spell replant dust glitter left over from my Granddaughters spell bag.. I am sure a pinch of that along with some well chosen chants will put the creature to sleep every time it sees me.. :-) So worry not Hugh.. I will be perfectly safe.. :-) :-D

        1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

          Ah, you’re one of the lucky ones then, Sue. Don’t go spreading that glitter around too much. The creature won’t like it. 😃

          1. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

            :-) too late Hugh.. I sprinkled some of it on Sunday.. and then again into Monday.. ;-)

  2. D. Wallace Peach avatar

    How can this be so super creepy and still make me laugh? Genius. :-)

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      That happened to me, Diana. Somebody told me it was because I have a wicked mind. 😬 What? Me? Nooooooooooo.

  3. Creature – by Hugh Roberts #writephoto #Halloween | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo avatar

    […] Continue reading here: Creature – #writephoto #Halloween […]

  4. Norah avatar

    Awesome, Hugh! You are very naughty to tell us to stare, and then tell us we’re cursed cause we did! All those little sounds are eerie, and I especially recognise the one that awakens me in the middle of the night. Did I hear it? Did I dream it? What was it? I can no longer hear over the pounding of my heart. Thanks for adding to the fear! Not.

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      You’re welcome, Norah. I seem to have been able to draw many readers in with this piece of short fiction. I suppose with it being the Halloween season that it also helped. 👻 Things that go bump in the night are a great subject…especially when you’re not quite sure if it was real.

      1. Norah avatar

        You did well to attract such a great audience. We must all be anticipating the release of your book!

        1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

          I hope so, Norah. It will go on pre-order very soon. 😃

  5. walt walker avatar

    Now Hugh, that’s not nice, to curse me like that. I wasn’t expecting it. And now I’m cursed.

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      You’re safe, Walt. It’s Halloween and the creature sleeps at Halloween. Oh, wait a moment, my calendar tells me it’s November 1st…😱

  6. dgkaye avatar

    Great! Thanks! Now I’ve stared at it much longer than 5 recommended seconds. Am I doomed forever? LOL . Great post for the season in true Hugh style! :) xoxo

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Thanks, Debby.

      Oh, you’re safe. Oh, hold on. The creature only sleeps on the night of Halloween…😱
      xx

      1. dgkaye avatar
  7. noelleg44 avatar

    You really sucked us in, Hugh. I did stare at it and thought I saw one or more ravens. Very much on my mind with Halloween! Poor birds get a bad rap – they are amazingly intelligent.

    1. Hugh's Views and News avatar

      Thanks, Noelle. It’s so good for me to hear that my readers are taken in by my writing. Thanks for taking part.
      Happy Halloween. 👻

Leave a reply to noelleg44 Cancel reply

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