“Returning” – Friday Fictioneers – Flash Fiction

This story was written for the weekly Friday Fictioneers photo prompt from Rochelle Wisoff-Fields on her blog, Addicted to Purple.  Check out her blog and click on the blue InLinkz frog below to read other stories and to add your own.

By the way, I have some news: I am honored to be the winner this week of the Three Line Thursday contest!  Check out the link to see the stunning photo prompt and to read my entry along with some other fabulous responses.  This context runs each week, so if you’re not writing three lines already, you could be very soon!

Copyright Douglas MacIlroy

Returning

(100 words)

Struggling to see through the planet’s haze, they almost missed the station.

“Thank God,” Ray said.

“They must be worried,” Maya said.  “So long.  They—“

The station door was ajar.

They clutched their guns, advancing.

The only thing out of place was a large green stone in the center of the empty room.

“Maybe they went to find us?”

“No,” Maya said.  “We’d have seen them.”

She grimaced, aiming her gun at the green rock.  Suddenly, it began to crack and expand.  Unable to move, they watched until it became something with a mouth.  Then, it was too late.