“They’re just stones.”
“I know, but I’m sure one of them has moved.”
“But stones can’t move on their own. Something or someone must have moved it? The instruments onboard the ship did pick up a small tremor last night.”
Moving towards the nearest stone, Miles bent down while pointing towards the ground to the right of the first stone.
“Looks like something either pushed or pulled this stone. If the ship’s camera had been working, I’d have the proof that this stone is nearer the ship than it was yesterday. Mission-control is taking too long figuring out what’s caused the camera to fail.
Shaking her head, Hilary bent down besides Miles and examined the ground.
“It must be alive,” cautioned Miles. These marks in the ground clearly show it has moved. Yet there’s no evidence to say that someone or something has moved it. I thought you said there was no evidence of life on this planet, Hilary. Without any signs of H2O, you said nothing could survive here.”
Consisting of at least 50% of water, the human visitors had no chance when the stone struck. Not even their spacesuits helped protect them.
As the other stones slid slowly towards the bodies to feast on the liquid nectar they needed to survive, the dusty, dry planet started to become alive again.
While decomposing flesh helped plant life grow instantly, the sound of a ‘click’ from the ship’s now repaired camera sent back the first image of a beautiful, welcoming, new world.
Written in response to the #writephoto challenge hosted by Sue Vincent at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click here to participate.
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Interesting take! Well done.
Thank you.
A very Hugh story. Well done. 🙂 x
Thanks, Debby.
A great story from that photo, Hugh, very Twilight Zone-esque!
Thanks, Terri. Glad you enjoyed it. I changed the story a lot while writing it. Couldn’t help but give it a ‘Twilight Zone’ feel, though.
Great imagination.
Thank you.
Brilliant!! I’ve missed your flash fiction, Hugh!
Glad you enjoyed it, Donna. I seem to have got my flash fiction mojo back.
And what does this teach us? Don’t believe everything you see in the newspaper!!
Or hear or see on the news.
Exactly!!!
I enjoyed that Hugh 💜
Thank you, Willow.
A pleasure Hugh💜
Now that’s life form on an entire different level… Leave no stone unturned! Well done, Hugh.
Exactly. Thanks so much, Liesbet.
My teeth clicked like an ancient typewriter staccato to a trained ear. I love your flash Mr Hugh. 😄
Aww, thanks, Ellen. I hope no teeth were damaged while reading this piece of flash fiction. 😀
I shall send my dental bill if yoy feel guilty Hugh 😁
I suggest you read ” Marianne Dreams” by Catherine Storr. It is the creepiest children’s book I have ever read.
I looked it up and see that the movie ‘Paperhouse’ is based on the book. I’ve seen the movie several times. It’s never failed to creep me out.
Nice one, Hugh:) Lovely to seeyou back at the flash again 🙂
I lost my flash fiction mojo last year, Sue. Looks like I’ve found it again.
I do hope so, Hugh 🙂
After reading so many of your short stories and flash fiction, you still never fail to surprise me, Hugh.
That’s great to hear, Teri. I love the element of surprise.
YIKES 😱😱😱
Ooh if only stones could talk!!
Between themselves, they can. 😱
Oh my! That is true Hugh magic!
Cheers, Ritu. My magic in writing flash fiction seems to have found me again.
You are amazing at it!
It’s 7:30 in the morning here and this post was better than a punch of caffeine. I’m definitely awake now!
Great ending. I can see the credits roll on suitably eerie music 🙂
Something like the closing credits music from ‘The Twilight Zone?’ I love that idea, Aimer.
Glad reading my piece of flash fiction has woken you up for the day.
Exactly like the music from The Twilight Zone.
You read my mind 🙂
Eeek! A good and creepy and fun read!
Thanks, Priscilla. I glad the creepy element came through.
Nicely done.
Thank you.