Written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction. Story begins after the photo
Genre: Science Fiction
Copyright: Alastair Forbes
Survival of the Scaredest
“I seen him right through there,” pointed Evan. “Like one a’ those dino-sores I seen on cable teevee.”
Lou reeled in his lure and cast again from the boat. “Sure it weren’t no gator?”
“Nope. Second time I seen it, it done came after me, runnin’ on two legs like a giant chicken. I rowed like hell for deeper water. But golldangit, the dang thing can swim! Lucky I can row faster scared than it can swim hungry.”
Lou looked at Evan blankly. “You been smoking them funny cigarettes again, aintcha?”
“No! I swear to God I saw it in the shallow water right thar.”
Lou began rowing to the shallows, “It’s called ‘survival of the fittest,’ Evan. And dinosaurs weren’t fittest. They all done died.”
“Don’t know about that. I do know ‘survival of the scaredest’ works best. And that dang thing scares me.”
Lou stepped out of the boat into knee-deep water. He held his arms out questioningly. “Where’s your dinosaur now, Evan?”
“Get back here, Lou. It ain’t safe!”
“I ain’t scared.”
That worked out perfectly for the 5’10” tall, 18′ long Utah Raptor waiting in the bushes. It charged through the shallow water and snapped the neck of the, obviously unfit, prey animal with a single bite. It was growing fast with all the easy prey shambling around.
Evan quickly rowed away to deep water accompanied by the sound of Lou’s breaking bones and tearing flesh.
Told you ‘survival of the scaredest’ works best, Lou.
___________________________________
Each week, Alastair Forbes presents an original image as writing prompt. 100-200 words are allowed (up to 400 in a literary emergency). Anyone can join, and this means YOU! Join us for fun and frolic in the fields of our imagination. Here’s this week’s prompt: http://alastairsphotofiction.wordpress.com/2013/09/22/photo-fiction-september-22nd-2013/
EagleAye
Momus News 
Hmmmmmmm…no bounce on the “cuteness” scale this time. But, it was very good nevertheless! 😀
LikeLike
Yeah, wasn’t trying for cute this time. Just going for entertaining. Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
LikeLike
what’s truly amazing is that you were able to photograph the Utah raptor..used a high power zoom eh..thanks for the belly laugh
LikeLike
I thought that. I reckon he keeps them in the back garden to keep the burglars away
LikeLike
Yup, don’t even have to feed them, although getting pizza delivered at home has become problematic. Lately, just like Pavlov’s dog, the Raptors start slobbering if anybody wears a ski mask.
LikeLike
Yeah, when photographing Raptors, it’s safest to have a very, very long zoom! Glad you got a good laugh out of it. That’s the whole idee-er. 😉
LikeLike
That’s awesome. You can hear the accent when they’re talking. Survival of the scaredest and I can row fast scared than he can swim hungry. I love it.
Thanks for taking part again.
LikeLike
My pleasure Al. I was hoping the accents would come out well. It adds to that whole “deliverance” feel.
LikeLike
Never seen Deliverance, but there are bits that I know of. I agree. It is funny.
LikeLike
Deliverance was the first ( date ) movie my husband ever took me to..a real chick flic
LikeLike
A great movie for certain. You must be one of the awesome girls that made dating comfortable and easy for a guy. I lucked out with my wife on that. Our first movie together was Harry Potter.
LikeLike
‘Deliverance’ with a twist! I’ma guess them good ol’ boys are mighty tasty!
I saw Deliverance – the best thing out of that movie was the dueling banjos. The rest…well…maybe then coulda done kept that nasty bit secret.
More intrigue this week…maybe?
http://julesinflashyfiction.wordpress.com/2013/09/22/fitting-in-dixie-saga-alastairs-photo-fiction/
LikeLike
Haha. Good ol’ boys are tasty because they’ve already pickled themselves. 😉 The dueling banjos were awesome to be sure.
LikeLike
Well done, I love the inclusion of the raptor.
LikeLike
My pleasure. I just love dinosaurs and resist the temptation. Thanks much for your thoughts!
LikeLike
AnElephant just loved this jolly little tale!
Well done.
LikeLike
So cool. I’m glad to hear it. Thanks much!
LikeLike
I like this. And I don’t think it’s politically incorrect. Having grown up in the Sigh-outh, I immediately began reading this in the dialect and it rang true. The only bit I thought might ruffle some feathers was “teevee,” even though that’s how it’s pronounced. Actually, it was probably always “on the cable TV.
LikeLike
Cool. Thanks Bill. I’m glad to hear the accents didn’t go beyond plausibility. I strive for accuracy as much as can. Thanks so much for stopping to read and comment!
LikeLike