The following story was written for the weekly Friday Fictioneers prompt posted by Rochelle Weisoff-Fields on her blog, Addicted to Purple. Check out her website and click on the blue InLinkz frog below to read others’ takes on the photo prompt. You can also add your own!
Copyright Douglas MacIlroy
New Habitat
(99 words)
Wendy froze.
“What?” Bert asked.
She’d seen these. She’d hoped never to see them again, certainly not in her brother’s home.
“Where did—?”
He shrugged. “Flea market. Cool, right?”
She breathed. They were rare. In months of ocean investigation on the Linnaeus, they’d only encountered them once—once, but half the crew was killed.
Now, miles away, one’s skeleton posed innocently as a conversation piece.
Later, they walked on the beach, catching up. She loved the ocean. One creature couldn’t ruin it.
“Look,” Bert said. “Dolphins.”
Wendy saw three, scaly backs moving in tandem. Not dolphins. She shivered.
Unmapped Country within Us 
I think this a lot, Emily. This is great! Love that last bit about the dolphins. Things are not what they seem and no one realizes it.
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Thanks, Amy! I’m not sure what Wendy will do about it, but it seems like something should be done!
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The picture was bad enough, but your story was terrifying. Thanks, Em. Another reason to stay out of the water!
Seriously–wonderfully written. Caused me chills and a need to know more. I think you have to finish this story. What happens with those scaly fins?
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Thanks! I’ll have to think about what the scaly fins do next. The picture was very interesting!
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I’m getting a “secrecy” vibe here, like only a few (including Wendy) know about these creatures, but soon people are going to start to realise what’s going on as they’re sighted more often. They’re obviously pretty dangerous and they’re getting closer!
Great story 🙂
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Dear Emily,
They sound dangerous. Sinister ending. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Monsters from the deep… creepy! This is a great story, and you capture the mystery and terror beautifully.
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A very unnerving story! It’s scary to think how many potentially deadly creatures lurk beneath the waves. Well done. 🙂
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The kraken wakes. Anyone for a dip?
Good piece.
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