Carter looked up from his discovery, the result of a broken-down tractor and a long walk through the forest as the shortest distance between today’s work and the farm house. He glanced around, thinking: Here’s a nest full of unusual critters, but no mother or father. And they were unusual, their shape and color unlike anything he’d ever seen in National Geographic or on the PBS shows he occasionally watched.
Slowly, one of the babies lifted its head and blinked at him, so Carter kneeled down and reached out a friendly hand, saying, “Hey there, little fella.”
The young creature sniffed at first, and then it snapped, shearing off his right pinkie at the second knuckle.
A cracking twig cut off Carter’s wailings, and he whirled around to the form of a giant, lizard-like animal crouched, ready to strike, its long tongue licking at more teeth than he’d ever seen in his life.
(Image courtesy of flickr.com)
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story appears in the 30 Days, 30 Writes 2009 chapbook, released on October 30, 2009. The chapbook features more stories by Stephen Book, as well as stories by Jane Banning, Greta Igl and JC Towler. Please visit the 30 Days, 30 Writes blog for more details.
Well that was frightening!
ReplyDeleteAnd a very good piece of flash...
Kudos!
Well said in few words! Yikes. :) I suppose he doesn't have to worry about his finger now.
ReplyDeleteNest full o' critters? Nice piece, looking forward to reading the other 29. Peace, Linda
ReplyDeleteThat'll teach that farmer boy to reach out in a friendly way. He should know: kill it, then see what it is.
ReplyDeleteA true "flash" of a flash. Nice work.
Jeff Posey
Yay, creature feature :)
ReplyDeleteShort and sweet (, sweet human flesh...)
Love this one. Poor Carter. Looks like he's about to lose more than just a pinkie...
ReplyDeleteOh, so Jurassic Park. Loved it. What I really like about it is the way the title plays off the prose. This 30 Days, 30 Writes project sounds really neat. Exhausting. But neat! Best of luck with the chapbook.
ReplyDelete~jon
Time to get a new Carter. Wonderful picture with an economy of words. Great flash!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great comments, everyone. I hope that during the next month many of you will take some time to look at the Chapbook (when you're taking small breaks from your NaNoWriMo projects, of course) and give us your thoughts. Tears, blood and soul were poured into the project, and all of the writers would love to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteTHAT, young man is very good and very chilling!
ReplyDelete