Hate is not just a concept, it’s a tangible thing. Despite it’s apparent ethereal nature, it has a measurable affect on living things. If science had only worked out the mathematics of it, they might understand the life-cycle of the Hannumaruti.
A Hannumaruti ship left Earth orbit after depositing eggs. The hard outer-covering of the eggs burned up on reentry before they landed in soil in Detroit, the most dangerous city in America.
The eggs germinated quickly and flowers, very similar to rose buds, sprouted overnight. The flowers, actually Hannumaruti nymphs, blossomed into the perfect form for collecting the energy of hate. There was so much hate in Detroit that the flowers grew far faster than on the Hannumaruti homeworld. Petals fell away and crab-like creatures remained, collecting energetic hate and growing fast.
In the midst of this, Hank and Jenny found each other, and fell in love. It wasn’t lust or co-dependence or puppy love, it was true love. In the days when magic was alive and strong, true love could literally move mountains. No one realizes that the Himalayan Mountains used to bisect the Northern and Southern regions of India. A couple in true love went on walkabout and moved the mountains to India’s Northern border.
Hank and Jenny roamed the streets staring into each other’s eyes, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging around them. They didn’t notice irrelevant things like traffic lights. Three times cabs nearly killed them. Ever after the cabbies in question didn’t understand how they missed the couple. True love was just as tangible as hate.
Meanwhile the Hannumaruti nymphs morphed into their adult form, a vile and powerful mix of scorpion and squid. They roamed through the streets of downtown, fifty-foot long bodies smashing buildings and trouncing cars. Police were dispatched with heavier and heavier weapons yet failed to produce any effect. The terrible creatures were armored by Detroit’s hate.
And then, walking hand in hand and unaware they walked into a combat zone, Hank and Jenny sauntered into the middle of a vicious firefight. One hundred guns firing at once failed to hit the couple, but suddenly the armor of the Hannumaruti collapsed. The creatures curled up and withered under the pounding gunfire.
Police Chief Hammerley, veteran of many riots, realized at once how the couple changed the battle. Still kissing, Hank and Jenny were gently guided into a police van and trucked to the next battle. Each time, they guaranteed a human victory. It took two days before all twenty-two Hannumaruti were destroyed.
In the months that followed, Hank and Jenny continued to wander the city. The police escort stopped when police realized nothing could harm them anyway. Gardens bloomed wherever they walked. Rundown houses became new again. People began returning to Detroit. People were happy once more.
The Hannumaruti ship arrived over Detroit to collect the adult spawn. The crew suddenly became ill as the love of Detroit washed over them. The ship crashed leaving most of it’s technology intact. Though it was the power of science that reverse-engineered the spaceships and sent humanity into the stars, it was the power of love that started it all.
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Written for Alastair Forbes’ Sunday Photo Fiction. Look here to see what other folks wrote: https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/sunday-photo-fiction-september-20th-2015/
Once again, you have managed to craft an intricate and engaging tale.
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Thanks so much, Francesca! I appreciate that. 🙂
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Such a wonderful tale! I can just imagine if it was brought into reality what a wonderful place Detroit would become. People would come for miles to get there….. Change the circumstances and they will come! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Yep. Eliminate all the violence and depression and people will come back. People want to live in a happy place. Thanks so much! 🙂
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You research for this story is amazing, Eric. You’ve discovered that the Hannumaruti first landed in ancient Egypt. Only back then, as you know, when they arrived, the people thought they were saying, “Hamunaptra”. An easy mistake to make considering the language barrier. Thriving on hate as the Hannumaruti did, it’s understandable that Hamunaptra became known as the “City of the Dead. ” The same thing would have happened to Detroit too if it hadn’t been for Hank and Jenny. Excellent story from a history lesson my friend 😉
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Haha! Yes, that’s exactly how it went. 😉 Luckily Detroit was saved at the last minute. Thanks so much, Lyn!
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A great way to end hate
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Let’s hope it works out something like that some day, except maybe without rampaging aliens.
Thanks much! 🙂
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Good idea
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I just LOVE a good love story. this was a goodun!
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Thanks Jules! Glad you liked it. 🙂
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I knew there was a reason I left Detroit (really!)
DJ
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Haha! I expect it’s the same reason a lot of people leave Detroit. 😉
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And never to return. You thought on this….I get comments that indicate they think my stories are true when they are clearly fiction. Well wait a minute, I know you would never have that problem 🙂
DJ
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Haha! So true. 😀
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I’ve been away for a bit but it’s nice to see that your tales are still as awesome as ever. Great read! Really enjoyed it!
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Good to see you back! It’s good to know I haven’t lost my touch. 😉 I appreciate the kind words. Thanks so much! 🙂
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They may have saved humanity, but I’m not sure I’d want to spend time with Hank and Jenny.
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Hehe. I agree. They probably wouldn’t realize anyone was with them!
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Scorpion-squids, run for your lives!
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Yeah. There goes the neighborhood! They’d have a profound effect on the property values. 😉
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This is absolutely wonderful Eric! One of your best! I love it. That just goes to show you how powerful love is! At least, Hank and Jenny’s was!
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Thank you so much! Hank and Jenny enjoyed “true love” which has many magical properties. And yeah, it’s mighty powerful. Thanks again. 🙂
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At least it wasn’t OCP who tried to end it (RoboCop) A great story as usual, and I can imagine them walking through and bullets whistling past them 🙂
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Haha! Yeah, OCP would’ve made a hash of it. Thanks so much, Al! 🙂
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You’re welcome Eric 🙂
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