This week’s picture prompt for Friday Fictioneers adds a sense of modern humour, taking a selfie of a selfie!
More story contributions from Friday Fictioneers can be accessed here.
The Aliens are Here
Something caressed his face as goosebumps erupted along his arms, and a cold air whispered, ‘Martha’.
John looked in the mirror. “Is that really you? I miss you.”
Since Martha passed, his sixth sense alerted him to soft moans and shadows that danced across the mirror. He was not alone.
For goodness’ sake, he was a scientist searching the universe for intelligent beings on other planets. Yet grief warped his imagination towards believing in the paranormal.
What was life without Martha?
Were the aliens observing him and trying to communicate?
He sensed the cactus plant was reporting his every move.
James McEwan 
Yikes. That’s scary indeed! Great take
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Many thanks.
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Maybe MarthaWAS an alien
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,and yet married to her all those years and he never noticed. Possible. Thanks for reading.
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I thought it was the toaster oven that kept track of us, but that isn’t aliens, it’s the CIA. Perspective (see “Myth” in 50 Word Stories) we are the aliens to the rest of the universe.
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i think Covid is a warning, I wonder what is waiting out there?
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JM – I imagine Covid is earthborne, but somethings bother me. Why would EVa
Gabor think she was the Queen Of Outer Space? To her, the earth people where from outer space. See Space Opera and Myth in my blog or website.
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yes, will have a look later. I meant with Covid that the Aliens on other planets might have some other exotic virus waiting for us – unexpectantly. Isolation may be an advantage.
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Aw, poor guy. Being a scientist doesn’t protect you from complete confusion from grief.
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Yes, anyone can be tripped up by emotional loss. TKS.
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he needs to get out of that zone for his own sanity.
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,and perhaps the sanity of his work colleagues. TKS.
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Even science has its limits. An intriguing tale James.
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TKS
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Dear James,
It seems grief has eclipsed the scientist’s sense of logic.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps a more social job would help. Thank you.
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Grief does strange things. I think he’ll have to live with the strange until his loss settles. And, he certainly does need to focus on something else. Very well written story, James!
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i agree. Thank you.
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Never trust a cactus. Spies every one.
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I know, I’ve moved mine into the cellar to keep an eye on the wine.
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Grief does strange things to the most stead of people. I hope he comes to grips sooner than later.
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Oh, cactus plant. Never trust a cactus plant. Those guys are pricks.
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Yes, Tks.
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It’s only paranoia if it isn’t really happening. Only time will tell what’s going on. Something is!
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I feel he is losing his grip. I hope he can come to terms with it soon.
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Oh dear, is his mind going, lost in grief, or something more sinister? I really enjoyed the ambiguity in this one, James.
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Tks.
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A wonderful fusion of sci-fi and enduring loss, think it works well.
Love the last line ‘the cactus plant was reporting his every move’.
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Thank you for commenting. For reasons not known to me, my comments on your Web page do not get accepted. I did enjoy your contribution.
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Great take on the prompt. I particularly liked the spy cactus
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Thank you.
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It’s well documented that aliens use cacti as listening devices — explains all those tiny prickles that get into your fingers when you handle one. Grief probably transcends worlds, too. Martha is out there somewhere, as is the truth.
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Thanks Lorraine, I am sure if sometime in the future humans managed to visit another planet they will be treated as aliens, Cacti may well be the first plants to survive on Mars.
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My bet is on those cacti with the very fine spines! Great defense system — kinda like vegetarian porcupines.
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I liked that story. It’s a powerful metaphor for the way grief can overturn even a disciplined, rational person. I like, too, that it’s not over the top; it’s believable.
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Penny, thank you. Grief has a way overpowering our rational thoughts and showing this type of experience was my intention. I am pleased you grasped the meaning of my words. Thank you.
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