IAIN KELLY

NATURAL BEHAVIOUR

Melinda trembled as she dialled the number. She bit her finger nails, holding the ‘phone to her ear, praying she would answer.

Out the window she watched Indigo and Lake running round the garden. They seemed so happy, but…

The voicemail service answered. She swore and hung up, then re-dialled. ‘Come on,’ she muttered.

This time her call was answered.

‘Melinda, it’s Sunday, I’m with my family,’ Doctor Rutter did not sound pleased.

‘But he’s done it again, and now his little sister laughing along.’

‘What exactly has he done?’

‘Crushed it dead, a spider. He took such joy in it. Why would he do something like that?’

‘Melinda, we have spoken of this. It is perfectly natural behaviour. He will grow out of it. You really must stop over-reacting like this.’

Outside, Indigo called his little sister over. ‘Look what I found.’ He held up the wriggling worm. Then he put it down on the slab, picked up a loose brick and smashed it down. They stared at the blood and smear that remained.

‘Imagine we could do that to something bigger?’ He looked round at the rabbit hutch that sat against the back of the house.


spf-august-05-2018-james-pyle-1
Copyright James Pyle

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). Hosted by Susan Spaulding. For more details visit HERE. For a change, this story is autobiographical as I have recently started cycling to and from my work.

To read more of the stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

39 responses to “NATURAL BEHAVIOUR”

  1. TanGental Avatar

    Creepy as all hell Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      The fun in taking an innocent photo and turning it into something else! Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Oh, don’t like the sound of this at all Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It may not end well, especially for the bunny…

      Like

      1. pensitivity101 Avatar

        Hubby used to do pest control and rabbit stew or pie was often on the menu, but the thought of a child and a brick………………….. (shivers).

        Liked by 1 person

  3. tidalscribe Avatar

    Chills… I used to tell on my brother for torturing insects….

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I hope he took your advice and stopped at insects 🙂

      Like

  4. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Horror of horrors, I predict a grim future for this pair. What a story, from such a innocent photo. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael, that was my challenge to make something threatening from a happy prompt.

      Like

  5. Kelley Farrell Avatar

    Ahh! No! So creepy, so well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Kelley

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Susan Avatar

    This is not a good sign. I see bodies and headlines in his future.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps someone will intervene in time!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Today a worm tomorrow a rabbit – watch out Doctor Rutter!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He might end up being a target in the future, you never know!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. James Avatar

    Well that’s horrifying.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Good, that’s what I was aiming for 😉

      Like

  9. scr4pl80 Avatar

    And that’s how it starts. Appearances can be deceiving, can’t they? Hope they figure it out soon! Great take, Iain, but sometimes I wonder about your mind…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Don’t worry Janet, it’s all just fun fiction…! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. notestowomen Avatar

    Chilling. The mother has good reason to be concerned.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Certainly does, hope someone believes her soon!

      Like

  11. joyroses13 Avatar

    OH my gosh! You do know how to add just the right “chilling” effect to a story! I was agreeing with the Dr about the Mom being too dramatic and then … it all changed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That was the idea, we always tend to over react and worry, but occasionally someone is going to be right to be concerned!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Jennie Avatar

    Creepy, but a good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jennie, hope you’re well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Iain. All is well. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. abhiray59 Avatar
    abhiray59

    Nice and a bit creepy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly what I was aiming for 🙂

      Like

  14. syncwithdeep Avatar
    syncwithdeep

    chill.. that was a creepy story..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, never a way to kill a cute rabbit that isn’t chilling!

      Like

      1. syncwithdeep Avatar
        syncwithdeep

        😃😃

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for the reblog 🙂

      Like

  15. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    A regular Dexter Jr., this one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Well if the law won’t provide justice…

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Deliciously dark, unless your children are gradually increasing the size of the things they crush in the garden. I wonder when Dr Rutter will decide to intervene.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You would think the rabbit would be enough for him to start worrying! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  17. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    Ahem! Slightly taken aback, especially coming from you. However, very well written, but then that’s your wont, isn’t it, Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neel, nice to give you a surprise!

      Like

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