Origins
The Saltbacks rarely left Deep Trench, unable to risk the mud on their skins or the bright light in their eyes. Their helmets depressurized the air, and they fell onto the land dazed and trembling.
Rumors flourished that the MudBorne, indigenous to the land, lived as savages in the toxins and ate visiting Saltbacks.
Days passed, and the Saltbacks saw no life. When their clothes became muddied, they disrobed. Craving the thinness of the air, they shielded their skin with mud and walked into the forest.
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I want to say thanks for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for her dedication and time, and to B.W. Beacham for the photo.
I’m not sure what inspired my story this week. Feel free to laugh with me or at me, or you can laugh at my story, too. Isn’t it so remarkable that 95% of the underwater world remains unexplored? Stop to think about that one.
Click here for more stories from the talented Fictioneers.
Genre: Sci-Fi/Humor (98 words)
Copyright – B.W. Beacham
AmyReeseWrites 
That was interesting….I won’t laugh. It’s where your mind went. And who truly knows what happened many eons ago. 🙂
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You can laugh if you want. I am. I think it’s kind of silly. But, just as you said, it’s where my mind went! 🙂
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I’ve just gotten a first-hand lesson in evolution, Amy. Thank you. Now I want to travel to Deep Trench for an archaeological dig!
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You’re welcome, Perry. Don’t mention it. I’ll set up that dig for you now!
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Sounds like you captured moments back when the Dead Sea was still on oxygen. Nice story, Amy!
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Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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There could be all sorts of things lurking deep under water – at least these guys seem friendly enough! I hope they enjoy their new life.
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All sorts of things. Maybe even scary monsters! And where else will we go if water covers most of the Earth. We will have to live underwater. I guess the MudSalts prefer land!
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I let out a giggle at the end! 😀
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Oh, good! I did too when I read it out loud. Thank you, Victoria!
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Dear Amy,
I’ll think of this story every time I use my salt grinder. 😉 Imaginative and unique.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha! Salts away. Salt makes everything better. Thanks, Rochelle!
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I misread “…lived as savages…” as “…lived as sausages..”. Must be because I haven’t had breakfast yet.
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Ha! That made me laugh! Sausages can be so distracting once you have them in your head. I hope you had some yummy breakfast this morning!
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Lovely piece of Evolutionary Fiction. Somewhere your ancestry must be calling out to you.
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Why thank you, Patrick. Do you think so? Maybe they are calling out to me. Could be.
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Ah! So the aquatic ape evolution theory is true after all. Must be – I read it on the internet.
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Happy to oblige! It started underwater. That’s my theory and I’m sticking with it.
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I read this Amy and instantly thought, “And 5000 generations later we have Starbucks.”
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Ha! Maybe with a little extra added salt! Coffee will never go out of style after all.
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There is salted caramel and chocolate with sea salt.
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I love the salted caramel. That’s one of my favorites.
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This is great. I wonder what happened to the Mudborne.
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Thanks, Alice. I think it might have something to do with those toxins!
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Later on, as the civiization of the Mudborne grew, their origins from Saltbacks were commemorated annually, deliciously, deep fried-edly at the Mudborne Faire.
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Oh, why thank you, Gaupo, for keeping me informed. I’m thinking deep-fried mud. Perhaps, there’s a few fish left in the sea!
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Oh ,, yes sometimes it had to evolve like that… I wonder what happened to the mudflaps … ?
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I think the toxins got to them. And so it goes. Thanks, Bjorn.
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Who knows what it under there, Amy! I like this story 😉
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It’s a little silly. It is a big question what’s under there. Who knows and will we ever know. Thanks, Dianne!
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Brilliant, Amy! Your kids must love the way your mind works! I am not a big sci fi person, but this is so creative and clever. LOVE. IT.
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I did read this to my kids, Dawn, and they laughed! So, I thought, it’s a winner, at least to them. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank so much for all the kind words!
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It’s lovely to come across a truly far-out take on the prompt. Well done Amy.
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Yay! I’m so glad I could achieve this, Sandra. Thank you!
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Amy, I feel like you’ve given us a glimpse into the history of an alternate world or something. I really like it. Are these supposed to be humans or just some other creatures?
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Thank you, David. I see them as human in a futuristic, post-apocalyptic landscape where the ocean covers most of the Earth…millions of years from now when we colonize under water. Oh, it could happen on our sister planet in another galaxy. 🙂
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That was the impression I got, so I’m glad. 🙂
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Oh I really like this. I can just see those Saltbacks emerging and lathering on the mud. Great imagination this week – and you’ve left me smiling. 🙂
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Thanks, Sarah! That makes me feel very pleased. 🙂
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If they go to Utah, they could call themselves the great MudSalt Flats (sounds like a jazz band, doesn’t it?). Great story, Amy. I could picture it in my mind.
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Oh, haha! If I could add a few more words, this would be them. I love it! And you know, the MudSalts, as it turns out, are quite gifted musicians. Thanks for the laughs, Russell.
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Yup laughed out loud.
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Oh, thanks! That’s great to hear!
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🙂
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very creative, imaginative and enjoyable tale:)
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Thank you, Rida. Thanks so much for reading mine.
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Very sci-fi. I think you could turn this into a short story.
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Well hello Amy! It’s nice to meet you here. It looks like we have something in common! Thanks! I think I’d like to do some kind of underwater world story. Thanks for reading.
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This was more futuristic to me. Perhaps it was the grocery cart in the mud. There may come a time when the planet is such a mess it will be the Mudsalts who save civilization. If nothing else, they will probably have great skin.
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Yay!! You did it! Yes, yes, Michelle. This is futuristic. Indeed, I thought of it as post-apocalyptic, and water covers most of the earth and there are underwater colonies. I had more in my initial draft at 130 words and I could have chosen a better title. It probably confuses people. Anyway. Yay, I’m so happy you interpreted it this way. Thank you!
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Sometimes I just get it 😉
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I think you always get it! 🙂
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They sound as fascinating as the deep-sea angler fish that our older daughter did a report on “back in the day.” Fun story, Amy.
janet
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Oh, angler fish are creepy, Janet. My son is fascinated with them. Thank you!
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But they’re cool-looking!
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They are cool!
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I can see a whole Evolution series starting here with these strange forms of life, Amy. Interesting story.
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Thanks, Karen. It could be interesting. Thanks for your comments!
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Amy, Good and interesting story. We weren’t there so how can we be really sure the way things happened. For some reason my mind brought up the thought of “salt flats.” Perhaps they were another branch. 🙂 Well done.
Susan
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Thank you, Susan. MudSalt Flats were also brought up, as if they lived in Utah! Who knows is right! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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Very interesting story.
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Thanks, Shandra.
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Good story. Made me tired somehow, all that resting in mud and breathing thin air.
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That does sound exhausting unless it’s a mud bath or mudsalt massage. Thanks!
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Yes. Liked your story. As an anthropologist I do love alternate forms of speciation. All life began in the sea. Excellent premise. Lucy
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Wow, and to hear from an anthropologist, the pleasure is all mine.Thank you. I do my best. I’m fascinated with the unknown world of the sea. Thanks, Lucy!
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Love the incorporation of biology … .well, at least to me.
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Cool, Frank! I’m proud of myself for going there. I’m not much of a scientist, but it was fun. 🙂
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I think it’s so brave to start a story mid-stream and trust the reader to catch up and fill in the blanks. It’s so tempting to spell everything out.
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By all means, fill in the blanks. Let your imagination take you away. Thanks, Jennie.
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