Friday, January 08, 2010

Entry #59

P.E.T.E.
by S.E. Sinkhorn


They are coming.

The trees here are so thin, reaching to the silver sky like wisps of black smoke. A bird glides overhead, passing in and out of my view as it cuts through the branches. The beauty of the wood does not escape my notice. That it is used as a hunting ground turns my stomach.

I didn’t want to come. My hand was forced, and the shouts are close now, falling from the frigid air to shatter at my feet. Sorrow wells inside me as I prepare to play my part one last time.

Pulling back my lips to expose my teeth, I darken my eyes and scream out a challenge, drawing the pack to my clearing. I limp in a theatrical show, as though their primitive weapons could have any lasting effect on me. Poor beasts. They’re only defending their territory.

The leader breaks into the meadow, calling the others to his side. I tense as if preparing to spring. They take the bait, surging forward to attack. As soon as they clear the tree line, a beam locks them in their tracks. In seconds, we are all aboard the transport vessel – I on a teleport pad, they in their cages, their weapons useless.

My eyes burn as I brush a claw against the pocket that holds my P.E.T.E. card – People for the Ethical Treatment of Earthlings. One day we will find a way to end this.

Poor beasts.

25 comments:

Bernita said...

Now this is a delightful switch in theme!Fine writing.
Thank you.

Kate said...

Refreshing! You've done an amazing job here building a plot, a character, and universe for such few words.

Anthony Rapino said...

Very cool. Did not see that coming. :-)

Sarah Laurenson said...

People for the Ethical Treatment of Earthlings
LOL

Poor beasts, indeed.

Lovely twist on the norm.

Rachel Green said...

lovely twist!

Unknown said...

A Frankenstein lynch mob in the future - or maybe not.

Loved the last paragraph.

PJD said...

LOL indeed.

Do you happen to know of the computer game "Spore"? My kids play it, and this totally reminds me of it.

Unknown said...

Thank you very much, all :D

pjd - I do know Spore! I actually own it. Fun little game - I didn't even make the connection, how funny!

JaneyV said...

I love this unique and imaginative take on the prompt. It really drew me in. Great job!

Aimee Laine said...

We are such poor beasts, aren't we? ;) Great job!

Craig said...

I loved the use of the feint by the protagonist.

Kartik said...

Nice twist!!!

Lena said...

Really a good twist. Love your take on the prompt. It is really unique in a way!

catvibe said...

Giggle! I want to be P.E.T.E. member, where's my card!

J. Randick said...

This was undeniably a joy to read. Excellent ending!

J. Randick

Aniket Thakkar said...

Great fun. You sir, are not "maybe" but definitely genius. :)

laughingwolf said...

brilliant! :)

Unknown said...

Thanks so much, everyone! It was great fun to write, as well :D

Chris Eldin said...

LOL! Most fun and clever!! Nicely written!!
:-)

kashers said...

This was a literary equivalent of one those football plays that are so clever every team think they were the ones who first played it.

I loved the double feint. Think I'll read it again and appreciate it in slow motion.

Laurel said...

Oh, snap! I so did not see that coming. Great twist!

Terri said...

LOL! Very "Close Encounters"!
Nice role reversal - and utterly believeable, the way you tell it.

Deb Smythe said...

Well written. And a good twist. A very enjoyable read all around.

james r tomlinson said...

I can envision the final battle scene. And yes, this reminds me of "Spore."

Anonymous said...

Dear Entrants #1-105,

I have read your pieces so that I can fairly participate in the Readers' Choice vote. (I read all of them through last week, before I started commenting.) I will be coming back around to offer my keep/tweak comment, but I didn't want anyone to snark.

Cheers,
Aerin (#236)

BTW, it's perfectly fine if you still want to snark, but this way you can choose a more appropriate subject, like Sarah Palin's hair or the enigmatic career of Justin Timberlake.