INVASIVE SPECIES

The spores floated through the air.

No one knew where they had come from. Some said outer space, some said underground, some said the remotest part of the Great Steppe.

Some revered as they passed overhead, some reviled. Portents of doom mixed with euphoria. The Great Coming of either a God or a Devil.

Alarms started ringing when they formed a blanket in the sky.

It was too late by then.

They exploded. Red goo splattered the buildings and streets and dissolved anything it hit. White shards like javelins stabbed and pierced.

Wherever it came from, global victory was complete in a matter of minutes.

Copyright Trish Nankeville

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

‘The Barra Boy’ is available now. You can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

49 responses to “INVASIVE SPECIES”

  1. Great use of the flowers’ appearance, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Good. I like an alien invasion story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Very imaginative, Iain. A touch of the Stephen King/Ray Bradbury’s there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, Bradbury was in my mind. Thanks Sandra

      Like

  4. Dear Iain,

    Now there’s a sci-fi to rival Day of the Triffids. I could picture the sky filling and then exploding. Oh my. Imaginative and downright creepy. Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

  5. I had similar thoughts, but a little more subtle in tactics…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, definitely have that look about them. Thanks Trent

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Never be fooled by a pretty face, or a beauteous bud! It could happen to any of us. Clever use of the picture prompt!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Liz, wise words!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. What a gruesome way for the earth to end. yuuck! 🙂 Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. A bit of the Sci-fi world in this, Iain.
    I must admit I don’t get sci-fi but I see others
    have enjoyed it so I’ll say bravo through their comments.
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Icky red goo all over the world–sheesh. I wonder who gets to do the clean-up 🙂

    I finally read “The Barra Boy” last week. I enjoyed it SO much! Your characterizations of people are spot on, making them real and relatable. This was such a human story. And I loved the ending. I don’t think there could have been a better way to end the story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ah, thanks so much Linda, really glad you enjoyed it. So nice to hear such positive feedback! Do let people know and help spread the word 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Absolutely will. Already have 🙂 I think I was expecting more sci-fi, so it was delightful to have you take such a different turn on this book. Not that I don’t like sci-fi.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. One of the advantages of not being a ‘successful’ writer and not having an agent or publishing deal – I am free to write whatever I want! Deciding what I should have a go at next just now.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Have you ever thought about a historical novel?

        Liked by 1 person

      4. One of the options yes. I think something set in the past certainly, even if not dealing with a big historical event.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. I will be eagerly looking forward to what you decide 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  10. It’s just as likely to end that way as any other. I like how you cultivated the tension and menace of the plant.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. I just saw some innocent looking flowers, you clearly saw a lot more! Nice one Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Keith, perhaps we look at the world in different ways!

      Like

  12. You’re scaring me…joking…well half joking. You have described a theme in many alien invasion stories….do we say “peace” or “get off my planet”? The two camps could well end up in a war long before the aliens make their first move!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. As easily as that, eh? It’s an imaginative way for aliens to conquer the earth!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It always seems quite easy for aliens to invade Earth in the movies! Until some plucky hero comes along to save the day!

      Like

  14. That is quite a creative take on the prompt, Iain. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. That’s funny – the first time I saw the photo it reminded me of Covid! A different kind of invasion!!! Good take.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. i hope underground cities were spared. civilization didn’t have to end this way.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I’d go with the out of space theory.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. I like the revered/reviled contrast all through the story. Explosive ending. But I did expect that.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Ooooo genuis use of the plants for a great scifi horror here. Love it.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Oh dear.
    I love the different take on the prompt. Did not see that at all.
    Interesting.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Wow! Love this! Aliens invading the world…since I watched seasons 1 & 2 of A Quiet Place, I’m into all this invasion stuff. Nicely done!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Horrible but well thought out.

    Liked by 1 person

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