Photo credit @Roger Bultot
Reflection of Sin
My home world and all of my transgressions reflected in mockery through its enormous eye. It snapped its mandible in anticipation. I scrambled backwards trying to find my footing as my flesh tore against the gravel.
It was true that I had fallen far from grace: the son repeats the sins of the father.
Cruel punishment, to be devoured, even by my most honorable sire’s standards. I surged with sword in hand blinding the beast and forever erasing the images of home and hearth.
I was alone again with my crimes.
Photograph by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab
Post script: I re-read my work today and realized that this tale although meant to be an attempt at sci-fi could be a parable. Do we have a choice? To be devoured by our sins or set ourselves free from our past? Does history have to repeat itself? The sins of our fathers. In that sense it becomes almost biblical.
For more tales of reflection go here to Friday Fictioneers. Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields our hostess will give you 100 words to light your way.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
I love the tension in the story, and even more the questions it rises, the sins and the end alone, maybe it would have been preferable to be devoured.
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He seems like he’ll make do wherever he lands. Thanks
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Mmm. This piece raises more questions than in answers. Beautiful and subtly repulsive imagery. Perhaps it’s the fly’s eyes? Well done, Tracey.
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subtly repulsive, you are so kind. Thanks
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That’s a clever take on the prompt photo as a compound eye
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That’s all I could see. Thanks Neil.
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Very clever Tracey but that picture did make me shudder!
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I know, me too. I hate bugs.
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This reads like the intro to a very interesting fantasy story. Can people ever get rid of the past and not repeat history? Great story, Tracey.
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Thank you. Your comment triggered an epiphany. See the post script I added.
I love to see my work at a different angle.
All the best, Tracey
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I’ve read it, great postscipt. If you want to write this, I’d read it. 🙂
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Interesting take on the prompt, Doc. In fact, THIS was original. That pic of the fly is awesome! I have never seen an insect so beautifully crafted as defined w/today’s digital technology. Looks a LOT like David Hedison (who Rochelle, to this day, drools over and who could blame her?) from the movie The Fly.
Five out of five swatters.
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Yes, The Fly! The take on the photo was original but see the post script I added today. It may be a remake of some biblical tale. Devoured by our sins!
Thanks for the swaps. 😉 Do I need a safe word?
Tracey
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Do you need a safe word? HAHAHAHAHA!
As for a remake of a Biblical parable, I’d say, as someone who is very familiar with the content of the Bible and as someone who visits Israel all the time, there is no historical narrative nor allegory parallel to this one. It’s not there.
However, the verse you’re thinking of is this one — ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ Numbers 14:18 (NIV). The guilty (who have not asked for and accepted forgiveness) will pay and it won’t be payable on their own merits.
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Like Kent said, your story is original. That is especially difficult when including the world sin. There’s an old saying, “Even a blind hog finds and acorn once in a while.” Perhaps we could reword that to include insects and sinners.
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The world’s sin or the word sin? Either works. I just added a post script about sin.
Thanks Russell.
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I was referencing “there’s no such thing as a original sin.” I like your postscript.
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Dear Tracey,
It seems your story can be taken literally in a sci-fi sense or a metaphorical sense. It actually hit me as the latter even before I read your postscript. Well done either way.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I wrote it I had not even considered the metaphorical sense. I like it even more now. Thank you Rochelle.
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Horrible, to be alone again with my sins. Loved the picture of the fly, I think. 🙂
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Thanks Michael. That image “bugs” me too. 😊
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Horrible imagery but very original
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Thanks Mick.
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I see the parable, a summation of one’s life and the inability to escape from history. But that’s me. (Operate on that eye, please, and make it look better)
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Will do. Thanks
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I see the parable in the biblical sense. It must be the Catholic girl in me. With both sins of our fathers and history repeating you wonder if we have any say in the matter at all or is it possible to stop! Love this story. Well done, Tracey.
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Must be my Catholic roots showing too.
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Creative take on the prompt, Tracey. Whatever way you look at it, it’s a good story and good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne
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I too read it as a metaphor and it wasn’t until I read your post script that I realized that was not your original intention. This, I think, is what makes this weekly exercise so much.
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I agree Dawn. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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