‘They’re similar to the Nazca Lines, m’lord,’ I said, flapping the photographs. ‘The ones in southern Peru? That you can only see from the air?’
‘That’s as may be,’ the judge said, ‘but this was criminal trespass and destruction of private property.’
‘For god’s sake, I didn’t draw them!’ I said. ‘You must listen. They’re coming.’
‘And you must listen to me, Professor Shaw.’
‘They’re landing strips, instructions, directions…’
‘That’s enough.’ His gavel came down.
Now all is quiet outside my cell. I know they’ve arrived because everyone’s gone. And the keys with them.
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This is a 100-word Friday Fictioneers flash fiction piece inspired by the photograph (this week from Kent Bonham. Click here to read others and join in.
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This spring Our Endless Numbered Days was picked as a Richard & Judy book club book, along with seven others. For those in the USA this is the closest we in the UK come to Opra’s book club. Now that the season is over readers can vote for their favourite, and of course it would be lovely if you would like to vote for me. Click here.
Very good indeed!
Thank you Suzy
The photos did not lie! Great story and that last paragraph tells it all.
Exactly! Thank you for reading and commenting.
More good sci-fi ish writing to be thoroughly enjoyed. I liked your take on the prompt. He told them so after all.
Thanks! He did tell them, but I’m not sure he deserved to be locked in for ever.
That is yet to be seen lol, he could have left them to their own devices haha
Fantastic!
Dear Claire,
I could feel Professor Shaw’s desperation. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I’m not sure how he’s going to get out of this one.
Such effective tension — the one person who knows, and they won’t believe him. And now he has to wait, for death, or for Them. Cue the scary music!
Hah! Exactly. Thanks Joy.
You always draw the reader in so well 🙂
Thanks Helen!
“The key is with them” …. lovely!
Thanks Neil. Glad you liked it.
Wonderful build-up and wrap up, Claire. Your craft still excels. Loved the ending!
Thank you!
I’m telling myself that when ‘they’ arrive at the prison they’ll recognise him as a super-being himself for having detected their plans. And he’ll be spared. Nicely done, Claire
Thanks Sandra. Sometimes I do really think about all those people locked up when something so terrible happens that all the gaolers leave their posts.
Keys… Small and powerful. Essential to mysteries and prisons of any kind as well! I like the way you drew me into Dr. Shaw’s very serious problem. well done.
Thanks Emmy. Glad you liked it.
That poor professor is not taking any comfort from being right! Well told
He’s not. Thanks Siobhan
Brilliant. I love where you took this. The fascination with the lines, and then the despair–great atmosphere.
Thank you!
Great stuff, dark and chilling. Probably better to die quickly outside than be locked in a cell.
Lost my keys inside my house for three days! Finally found them in the pocket of a grey jacket I hardly ever wear. It has been cold and raining so I just went to bed.
Easily done! But don’t get locked in so you never get out…
Better locked in than out on a rainy day I can tell you! And no, I always find them in the end.
They never listen, do they? Great story.
You’re right. They don’t. Thanks for reading.
Great story, enjoyed that very much, Claire.
Thanks Susan.
Another great story Claire. You always leave us wanting more!
I love that the Prof could be delusional or could be spot on. Engaging read.
To be forever trapped by truth…. good take on the prompt, eh!
‘Trapped by truth’ – what a great summing up. Thank you.
A good one – very clean and tight and you bet that scenario has actually taken place somewhere.
Thanks Hilary, and I agree, except perhaps not them actually coming…
I love it.. most of all because you do not really conclude it.. it could be aliens for real or Professor Shaw is really crazy.. the shift from dialogue to monologue worked really well
Thanks Bjorn. Yes, I really like stories that aren’t answered by the author. Let the readers do some of the work too!
Super flash fiction here! The tension is evident, the atmosphere feels strained and foreboding, and the content – premise is well done. Exciting read that is thoroughly satisfying. Amazing how the power of 100 words can transport a reader. Great job Claire 😀
Thank you. And I like your comprehensive review in 41 words!
LOL – well I wasn’t keeping track – but sometimes, it works out well 😉
have a wonderful weekend 🙂
This was brilliant, Claire. Why is it “they” never listen?
Congrats on your book being picked up for the book club (such a fabulous selection they have made… I absolutely loved it)!
Thanks Dale. They’ll regret not listening one day…
Great twist at the end! Having been absent from Friday Fictioneers for two months (gloriously spent in Bermuda) I’m back, reading, writing and enjoying! Good one here!
Ooh, I hope you had a lovely time! Thanks for reading.
Another excellent story Claire. The professor was right, but does that really matter now it’s too late?
He doesn’t even get to tell them ‘I told you so’. Poor professor, stuck in his little cell for ever.
maybe “they” will find the professor in time and free him? I think that may be a long shot though
But what if when ‘they’ free him, they assimilate him, or eat him… what then eh?
hmmm good point…
I am sure he is grateful for being locked up now.
P.S I voted
Perhaps, if he ever gets out. Thanks so much for voting!
The world’s about to end and they’re worried about a minor property infringement. Isn’t that just like reality? I hope we can produce more like the Professor. Great story, Claire, and congratulations on your book doing so well.
Thanks Margaret. I know, makes me slap my forehead…
Oh dear – as he waits for a slow and painful death he will suffer agonies of frustration too.
Yes, poor professor.
I could feel the tension in their exchange. Those lines and circles are mystery, aren’t they? Great take, Claire. Congrats on the Richard & Judy book club nod. You have my vote!
Thanks Amy, for reading and voting.
Well, I voted, Claire, I hope it helps your book to win. Good story. I hope somehow she gets out. It doesn’t look hopeful at this point. Well written as usual.
Thanks so much Patricia, for voting and reading
Perhaps the Professor will work out a way to escape,or perhaps ‘they’ will come for him, either way it’s a great take on the prompt.
Happy to vote for your book, it is a very good read.
I hope he’ll get out. Thanks for reading and for the vote Dee!
He is in good company, me thinks. Many have been locked away for saying something important, something like the earth is round not flat.
Hah! Good point.
Ah, poor fellow (or woman)! If only people had enough sense and would listen!
Now, the protagonist is sealed in forever, unless THEY arrive, and perform horrendous experiments on her/him – I can hear diminished chords and tritones, maybe a theremin!
Yep, I think it’s only going to get worse for him or her. Thanks for reading.
My pleasure!
Great story!
Thanks so much!
You’re welcome! 🙂
A grasping read!☺
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
I did😊.. please do check out my blog too.. I am new over here. Lots of love..😘
I just tried to visit, but it’s marked as private…
Try opening it once again.. it may be an error.. I just checked the settings.. it’s in public mode.