It’s time for Friday Fictioneers. I’d like to thank Rochelle for her dedication and Danny Bowman for this week’s stunning photo.
My contribution follows. As always, you are welcome to participate.Find more stories from the Fictioneers HERE.
Genre: Sci-Fi (100 words)

Citizenship
A hovering shadow collects hordes of people in one sweep. Darkness.
Before a grassy mountain. Clyde wakes in nothing but a black robe; others wake at the same time. Before they can speak to each other, their eardrums ring with a cacophony of high-pitched screeching. A carpet of insects rush at them and reptilian coils push up from beneath them. They collapse once the ringing stops.
Clyde wakes repeatedly to the same cycle, each time with less bodies.
When he wakes at the foot of the mountain , a beam of light strikes his eyes. A slight figure approaches and announces, “Welcome.”
I love the hands in the sand pic. Very appealing.
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Thanks, Mike.
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Well, that was interesting. Bugs, ugh. Guess he is the only one left huh? Wonder what happens next?! Good story Amy!
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Thanks, Jackie. Hmm…well, I don’t think he has a choice to join the new group. They don’t give you much choice.
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Wow! That is all. Wow!
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Really? Oh thanks, Jan! I didn’t really like my story this week, so I’m thrilled about your comment.
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I thought it was awesome. Would make an utterly harrowing scene in a movie!
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It would be pretty awful! Thank you!
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Oh, I like yours a lot too! I want to read more.
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Thanks, Christi!
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So, is it sand worms coming up from underneath? You leave a lot to the imagination here. I think we need a superhero to save the day.
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Ha ha. Maybe. A superhero can handle any crisis.
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Amy, this has the quality of a terrible nightmare. I’m not sure if I’d trust the welcome. Great story!
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Thanks so much, Karen! Thanks for reading.
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It sounds like he was chosen–but for what? Intriguing!
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Hmm…chosen because he survived!
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Rather creepy! Must be a contestant for the version of Jeopardy 🙂
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Thank you. I guess he won fair and square, too.
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That is that new kind of Charlie Sheen winning I think 🙂
I see I left out the word “new” in my clever remark…I am so glad it is Friday
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Well, if you left it out, I imagined it anyway. I knew what you meant. 🙂 At least he didn’t get eaten or anything. Me too!
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wow. mind-blowing tale. loved the imagery and the ending!
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Thanks, KZ!
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Amazing scene development here, Amy. I was totally pulled in, and held until that final startling line! Wow.
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Thanks, Dawn! I’m thrilled.
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Wait a minute! Clyde?
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I know. Who knows what’s inside the mountain!
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And all that he is wearing is a robe,
I shudder to think what happens next…
Have a great weekend Amy 🙂
Andro xxxx
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Yes, shudder!! Things could go many different ways at this point. Are they friendly? Its possible.
Thanks. You, too! Have a great weekend.
Amy xo
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I guess only the strongest get to join this group, not that they have any choice. I wonder if the ones who didn’t make it were actually the lucky ones?
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I think you’re right. It’s not a place I’d want to visit. I thought the same thing.
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Well done Amy you had me wondering, but the ending I agree with others was a tad scary. Like the look of your blog too.
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It’s definitely the unknown, which is always a bit scary. Thanks, Michael. I’m glad you like it.
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My pleasure Amy.
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Dear Amy,
Welcome? To what? Ominous and well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The planet Zotar? Ha ha. I’m not sure. Definitely another planet. Thanks, Rochelle.
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Amy,
that is quite the initiation. I liked the images, especially the carpet of insects. At first, I thought they were dead and in some sort of underworld. Very intriguing story and very well written. 🙂
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David,
That’s a perfect way to describe it. An initiation. If you pass, you might get to live on their planet. That might have been a better title. Thank you!
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I’ll make sure I leave that place off my itinerary. Scary.
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Ha ha. Me too, Patrick! Thanks for reading.
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Yikes! I like the tension and the open ending.
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Thank you!
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Hi Amy,
I didn’t know I’d have to put up with bugs and reptiles on my way to the afterlife. You have a very active imagination. Ron
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Ron,
I hope you don’t either. I didn’t really see this as the afterlife, but you could certainly interpret it that way. I’ll take that as a compliment. I try to stretch my imagination. Thanks!
Amy
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What a way to be chosen. As initiations go, this has to be up there with the worst. I hope life improves now he is welcomed!
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Not a great start, huh? I hope so, too, but somehow I think his difficulties are just beginning!
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Big Brother auditions are surely getting tougher.
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Right?! I think I’ll pass on that audition. I guess it’s sink or swim. Thanks for reading.
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Well done, Amy – highly intriguing indeed! 😉
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Thanks, Dianne!
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That first paragraph is gold! Beautiful writing 🙂
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Thanks, Jessie! That’s so generous of you to say!
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Woah! I got the heebie jeebies just thinking about those bugs and reptiles (snakes?!). But now I’m sitting here going, “What’s next?!” Great story.
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Thanks, Tiffany!
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One problem with being one of the last readers is that so many comments have already been given. I liked that you gave just enough creepy detail and then left so much to our imaginations. Of course with only 100 words, that tends to happen, but you fed our thoughts and fears and then turned us loose to thing of even worse things (if there are worse things.)
janet
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I have a hard time wrapping it up. I guess it’s more of a prelude for things to come. I think it will be worse…something tells me Clyde’s adventures are not over, Janet.
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Perfect words for this picture. It had to be.
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Thanks so much, Michelle! Thanks for the wonderful comments.
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The friendly welcome is a little scary… there is a lot of food for thoughts her.. or thought of food maybe..
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Possibly, Bjorn. Oh, I don’t want to even think of it!
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Good story and well written. He needs more than a super hero. He needs Scotty from Star Trek to beam him up.
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Thank you. Right, Patricia. He needs to get out of there!
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This was superbly written; the imagery was very effective.
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Thank you very much.
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Reblogged this on Batok kelapa.
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