Here is my entry for this week’s Friday Fictioneers, sponsored by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields over at Addicted to Purple.
Photo Prompt – @ Douglas M. Macllroy
Genre: Science Fiction
Word Count: 99
“Sun’s up,” said Julian. “Let’s move. We gotta hit all four labs before sundown.”
Cliff nodded as he pulled on his boots. Fear crawled across his scalp and burned in his stomach. They lost Johnny two days ago and Mitch three weeks before that.
Bastards were getting braver. Used to have fifty men at this outpost and maybe lost one guy a year. Now…shit. And no new recruits – the Feds had them in lockdown.
Julian and Cliff clamped down their visors and stepped out into the cold. A shriek echoed across the hills. Too damn close.
They ran.
Hit the blue frog button to visit other Friday Fictioneer entries! Rules are – 100 words or less, story based on the photo prompt. Polite constructive criticism is welcome!
I think this is the longest I have gone in a quite a while without posting a blog. Lots going on – lost a dear friend to cancer and I have been sick with a cold. But I’m back at it again – lucky you! 🙂
See ya Sunday-
Sue
Brick House 
A very clever take to this prompt. Nicely done.
Thank you! I was thinking about the old B movie The Thing when I saw this prompt. 🙂
Dear Sue,
i’m sorry to hear about your friend. I lost one a few years ago. It was hard. My heart goes out to you.
You’ve captured the lonely outpost well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle. She was a beautiful person and we will really miss her. But I often thought of your words about your own loss when you said heaven celebrated the return of your friend. It is joyful to think about heaven celebrating Carol’s return as well!
I thought this was well written, Sue. My only suggestion is in regard to “fear crawled across his scalp and burned in his stomach.” Those two areas of the body are quite a ways apart. Maybe it crawled down his spine and gnawed at his stomach–I don’t know. Hope you don’t mind me offering my two cents worth.
Hi Russell- I don’t mind at all and thank you, in fact. I actually thought that same thing as I wrote it but was being stubborn about my “creative genius” – haha! Next time I will pay attention to my inner editor!
Exciting little gem. Well done. And lucky us.
Thank you, Patrick- I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
Good stuff, Sue. 👍🏼
Thanks, Gemma. 🙂
Interesting story. Good take on the prompt.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
How long before there is only one standing? Scary.
I really thought about your question and I think it depends if they have any weapons- an issue I never brought up although it’s semi implied because the creatures are getting braver. In my head they had weapons when I wrote it, so instead of saying “no new recruits” I think I could have said “no new ammunition” which would then tie into why the creatures were getting braver. Great question!! Thanks for reading and commenting. Much appreciated!
The fact both of us are thinking about it is a good sign, don’t ya think?
A gripping story, Sue, and very nicely written. 🙂 I wonder how long they’ll manage to hold out.
Thanks, Millie! I don’t think they are long for that world but you never know about the ingenuity and survival instincts of man.
Very true! Something could still turn up for them.
I wonder how long they’ve got! Nice one.
Rosey Pinkerton
Thank you, Rosey-I wonder too. I’m thinking they both should live but it won’t be much fun surviving.