The Human Illusion
Neither us of remembered the forest being on any of the maps or brochures. None of it really looked familiar, not according to the long hours of research before our trip, but we weren’t the type to avoid adventure opportunities. It was serene, with gnarled roots and branches interrupting the flat, dry land. We saw no one for hours, until we did, or thought we did.
“It sure looks like a person,” he said.
“But I don’t think it is,” I answered.
“Me neither, but the illusion, gosh, it’s uncanny,” he said.
“Maybe it’s a ghost.”
“Maybe we’re ghosts.”
99 words
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Feedback appreciated. After staring at the picture for a while, I thought I could see a person just left of center. I can’t tell, and it could be branches and roots or an actual person, but the illusion sparked this story. Originally I was working with the idea of walking trees.
What story comes to mind when you see that picture? Join in! Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog link-up based on a photo prompt. The Challenge – write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle, and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.) The Key – make every word count.
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*Featured and Post Image Copyright – John Nixon
**The ads (which may appear) below are not mine, but they keep this free for me. Do with them as you choose.
This Is My Corn 
I see the spot you mean, it could be a person, or another tree, or anything. But your story was good in capturing the spot.
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As soon as I saw it, it was the only thing I could see anymore. All other ideas moved to the background. 🙂
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Sorry, I was really trying to stay out of your shot…
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You blended well enough. I looked at the picture several times before I saw you, so apparently you make a good tree. 🙂
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Considering what I was doing, I’m just glad I had my back turned. 😉
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Hahahaha! Naughty naughty!
See, you just can’t get away with anything with everyone carrying a camera in their pocket these days.
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Don’t I know it! (Well, obviously…)
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I definitely thought that was a woman disappearing through the trees. Nicely captured.
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Thank you Sandra. I didn’t see it right away, but it took over once I did. This story told itself. I was struggling with my other idea.
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Regards, I enjoy this.
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That works. 🙂
janet
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Thanks! 🙂
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Dear Melanie, Good story! I saw the woman walking away too but not until the third time I looked at the prompt. Very good! Thanks for the delightful entertainment! Nan 🙂
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Thank you Nan. I was looking for something else when I saw it, and I had already looked at it a couple of times too.
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Well written – you captured the mystery without over-stating it.
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Thank you Liz. I was hoping it was just enough.
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Dear Melanie,
Or maybe I’m a ghost. 😉 Something tells me there’s evil looming on the horizon. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle! There is certainly something amiss. 🙂
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Spot on with the story 🙂
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Thank you camgal!
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love the questions your characters began to ask about the mystery figure…you stirred up my imagination. 🙂
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Thank you Sun! I’m glad to hear it moved your imagination. 🙂
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I saw the person / illusion too, but decided against following it in case it was a ghost. I like the mystery in your story, and the “or perhaps we are” line especially
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No, I wouldn’t recommend following her into the woods. That’s the kind of thing scary movies are made of. 🙂
Thank you!
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Just stumbled upon your blog… I love this post. The picture and story are amazing! Thank you for the inspiration.
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Thank you! This writing challenge happens every week. It’s a lot of fun and full of inspiration.
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