
The aliens in the dome behind the wheel were first shocked, then hysterical with laughter. Earth people could NOT resist colored lights, music, and a brief thrill.
Time after time, they loaded up the Ferris wheel, laughing and screaming, never noticing when they were sucked out of their buckets into another dimension.
And those waiting in line for their own thrills never suspected that the people alighting from the wheel were only shadows of themselves, melting into air and water.
What was really sad, though, was that no one seemed to miss them.
Where’s zig and zog when you need them?
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I did think of using my two little alien creations, but they were rarely scarey. I wanted a chilling, creepy tone today. Zing and Zang are too friendly for that 🙂
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Excellent choice of storylines! Really nice write, Gran!
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Thanks, Violet 🙂
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Dear Linda,
Chillingly well told. Not to mention a bit of social commentary thrown in for good measure which worked very well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. Glad that “social commentary” bit came through 🙂
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Haha culture shock!
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Wow, that last line is a killer. So well done, sucking us into a fun alien story and then, wham. I love it.
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Thanks 🙂
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The last line was the clincher, Linda. Very sad and unfortunately, very true commentary.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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Aliens are in control & no one has a clue!
Unsuspecting thrill-seekers indeed!
What if this was really true?!
Dear Earthlings, beware of the chills ahead! 🙂
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Thanks for your fun response, Anita 🙂
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We’re all suckers for colored lights, loud music and a thrill! Your serious conclusion gives an interesting twist to the story.
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Thanks, Penny. Always appreciate your constructive criticism.
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No one missed them. That means that the aliens got the least distinctive people, or they juggled reality a smidge.
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Well, that’s an interesting perspective 🙂
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I guess they got more thrills than they were expecting. Very deep last line, too, a sad commentary on the world today.
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Wow. Scary but poignant. The thought of people not being missed is so real today, as people shut themselves in on their houses and never even learn neighbors’ names. So sad.
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So true.
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No one seemed to miss them. A tale of our times. Brilliant take Linda.
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Thanks a lot, Keith.
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Surprisingly cynical, Linda!
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Who, me?? Yes, I suppose it is. I do have a bit of that in me 🙂
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ouch, the last line was a killer.
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Thanks, plaridel, for reading and commenting.
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Yikes! Well done, Linda!
And … a bit of social lesson thrown in for good measure, eh?
😉
Na’ama
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Thanks 🙂
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Thanks for the warning, I will stay away from these big wheels.
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🙂
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What everyone said… little Alien story that feels all too real with that last line.
Very well done!
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Thanks, Dale.
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What are aliens doing sucking out so many natives? Once population drops, people will start to notice. Would it be a blessing or curse?
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Brrrr. Chilling. I’m glad I don’t believe in aliens 🙂
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I went a similar route with the photo prompt this week… It’s interesting how many dark stories this innocuous wheel is generating!
Great story!!
-Rachel
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Yes, I noticed that with your story. Seems there were a couple of others with disappearing riders 🙂
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I toyed with a similar idea, but you did it far better than my efforts were taking me. Good one.
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Well, that’s pretty high praise! Thanks so much 🙂
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What a scary story this week, Gran. Gives me the willies. But, oh, it’s such a cool idea. 🙂 ❤
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Thanks, Jelli. A good case of the willies is kind of fun 🙂
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How terrible… and sounds so credible… probably happening already
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Oy vey, I hope not!
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Awesome, love it, shadows alighting the ferris wheel could be a description of folk today, we can all be shadows leaving no trace. I’m only writing this blog so i feel like i’m leaving something tangible!
Not really! Great piece, really good stuff as ever.
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Thanks so much. And would you mind–what IS the Ministry of Shrawley Walks?
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It’s the name of my blog which is a pun on the Monty python ministry of silly walks. The ministry of Shrawley walks is 4 folk walking the dogs in a rural paradise called Shrawley, nothing more. I only jumped on board the FF because someone I followed suggested I try. My usual stuff can be about whatever I feel like saying!
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Well, now I understand. I was never a big fan of Monty–watched very little television back then. Thanks for the explanation 🙂
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No probs, you’re very lucky, I’ve told hardly anyone, this weekend I will be publishing a piece telling folk exactly what we are!!
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I will surely check in on that 🙂
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Usually a load of rubbish!
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🙂
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Ooh. I love a good sci-fi story. It is just like a human to be mesmerized by the pretty, flashing lights.
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Great spin on the wheel, pun intended.
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Let’s hope the story stays in the fiction world.
Interesting place for aliens to pop up. It must be the bright lights.
I enjoyed your tale, Linda. Great ending too.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora 🙂
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Love this. One surprise after another – culminating with the very sad ending. I like how the tone shifts as the story develops too.
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Thanks!
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It would have been less scary if the people disappeared after getting on the wheel. That way, their absence would definitely have been noticed, and it would have been a run-of-the-mill alien abduction story.
A clever, well-constructed tale.
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Thanks 🙂
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That IS sad!
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That last line! Oh! 😦
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This might be my favourite story of yours! Part whimsical sci-fi, part social commentary, with a gut punch of a closing line. Really well done!
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Thom, thank you so much 🙂
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