Friday, September 4, 2009

Tickle, Tickle

At first it's just a pencil.

The lead breaks again, and Wade jams it into the electric sharpener. Under the sound of the whirring motor, a scream, discordant, sharp. Wade jumps back; the pencil falls to the ground.

Where the lead used to be, a tail stretches out, coils, and straightens. The thing is twice as long as the pencil shaft now. It swells, and little legs sprout at the sides. Wade scambles to his desktop, knocking notebooks to the floor.

The black serpentine thing works up the side of the desk. Wade pushes his fists against his eyes, rubbing hard until they water.

It's still there, writhing over his shoe. It tickles his ankle, brushing the hairs of his calf as it winds around his leg. He slaps at his pants, dancing frantically on the desk top, but the black thing works into his skin, finds a vein, and takes over.

for Writer Appreciation Week

13 comments:

Carrie Harris said...

Ooooh. This is GOOD. I mean, all your stuff that I've had the opportunity to read is good, but this one is really REALLY GOOD.

Please, sir, can I have some more?

PS - Sorry for the Oliver Twistiness. Couldn't resist.

Jamie Eyberg said...

There is a reason I don't use pencils. Very well done.

Aaron Polson said...

Carrie - Oliver Twistiness is full of awesome. Thanks.


Jamie - stupid pencils.

Alan W. Davidson said...

You have scared me so much, sir, that I have unplugged the electric pencil sharpener that sits on my desk..well done!

Barry Napier said...

Great story! You sir, have given me another reason to look forward to Fridays.

Fox Lee said...

Cut it off, cut it off!!!

Cate Gardner said...

Oh good god, creeptastic. I'm glad there are no pencils or pencil sharpeners in the vicinity. Best Friday Flash so far.

Elana Johnson said...

Holy fabulous!

Katey said...

Too delicious! So vivid, I'm starting to wonder if this is what happened to me...

Seriously, Fridays are just about the best day ever.

Unknown said...

Weren't you the guy who wrote the one about the guy who eats the computer as well? What are you trying to do, scare me out of getting near my writing desk all together :). Well done!!!

K.C. Shaw said...

Well, you can just come over to my job and sharpen all the pencils in the testing center for me from now on, bub.

That was creepy! Wow. I can't help but think you're wasting your excellent flash stories on us. :)

Benjamin Solah said...

Clever. Won't be using pencils anymore!

Danielle Birch said...

Was reading while drinking my morning coffee and sat with coffee cup suspended halfway to my mouth. Well done.