It was an ordinary backyard, except for the chain link fence. Even that wasn’t especially out of the ordinary, so most people didn’t spare it a second look. Those who did rarely saw anything remarkable: just grass, a little overgrown, a rubber tire, nothing that would excite their interest.
If they’d looked closer, they might have seen the thing scuttling in the shadows as it shifted from one hiding place to another or seen the camouflage flicker from just a moment, revealing a many-legged shape.
At night, some of the people in the neighborhood heard it’s cry. They shivered, not knowing how close to death they were.
“Just the wind. Just a dog. Maybe it’s a coyote.”
They made endless excuses, always knowing that they weren’t true, but knowing that if they stopped believing them, they’d never be be able to sleep again.
Word Count: 144
This is for Flash Fiction for the Aspiring Writer. Thanks to Priceless Joy for running the challenge and Yinglan Z for providing the prompt picture.
I wouldn’t like to live in the neighborhood. Beautifully crafted.
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Neither would I! Thank you!
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Chilling and creepy, great sense of atmosphere. I hope it doesn’t ever learn to climb the fence…!
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Thank you! Let’s hope not.
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Very chilling and spooky! They have to believe their excuses for “it” or they wouldn’t be able to sleep again. CREEPY! Great story J.A.!
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Thank you!
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I am sensing that everybody went down the creepy route! Trust me not do it 🙂 very cleverly done.
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It’s the season for creepiness, right? Thank you!
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Somehow… Not in my head!
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That there Wild life’s getting more dangerous.🙂
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A lot more dangerous. Thanks for commenting!
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Gosh, this was really eerie! Great take! Loved the last line! 🙂
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Thank you!
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Very mysterious! Great story. The neighbors will be lucky if the “thing” goes away after Halloween…or perhaps there will be Real trouble on Halloween night!
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Thank you! I’m sure they’re hoping for the former.
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Wow, frightening take. The many -legged thing sounds chilling to me. I would think about moving away . Great write!
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Thank you! I think moving away would be a good idea.
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nice! Creepy, and now I want to know what it is 🙂
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Oh dear! That’s scary
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Thank you!
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