Shoppers from Elsewhere

Story Prompt: Copyright David Stewart

Shoppers from Elsewhere

Our tables were ready when the Others stepped through the Door, otherworldly eyes wide and curious.

They circulated the flea market, buying goods before returning to wherever they came from. No one knew. Or cared. They liked plastic, and they paid in platinum, making every 37th day a jackpot.

A woman (probably) lifted a Rubbermaid lemonade pitcher. She handed me a disc of platinum with a nine-fingered hand, smiling.

I turned it over and saw a single English word.

HELP

She was already walking away. I stood, frozen.

For the first time, I really wondered what was beyond that Door.

Thanks to Rochelle for choosing my picture this time. This was taken on a ghost tour in Quebec City this summer. Whenever the prompt is one of my pictures I always tend towards the actual circumstances of the photo. In this case a tour led to shopping heading through a door, but not us going somewhere but someone else coming here. And so on. 🙂

15 Comments Add yours

  1. I always have a hard time seeing one of my images from a fiction writers POV, my stories usually at least resemble some of what really happened.

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  2. Tannille's avatar Tannille says:

    Curious and curious. This could jump start a novel. Who needs help and why? The item has a story.

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  3. Great Rochelle used your photo. You have so many great ones. She should post more of them.

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    1. I’m still wondering what’s behind that door.

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  4. Neil MacDonald's avatar neilmacdon says:

    There are clues here. These aliens are released every 37th day by their captors but they can’t escape. They’re sent in to shop, so their culture is as vapid as ours. Great mystery here, David

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  5. elmowrites's avatar elmowrites says:

    What a mystery – please write the rest of this one! There are so many clues but no clarity…

    I agree – when I see one of my photos sometimes it’s hard to get started. I love to read the stories based on them, though.

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  6. I’m intrigued, there are so many thoughts going round in my head! Nice one.

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  7. James McEwan's avatar James McEwan says:

    I wonder what horrors would materialise if he attempted to help. Who are these aliens that tempt the good nature of humans? Interesting.

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  8. athling2001's avatar athling2001 says:

    Chilling ending. Makes one wary of the unknown.

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  9. Margaret's avatar Margaret says:

    Really good. You’ve created a very intriguing situation that sets my imagination spinning.

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  10. granonine's avatar granonine says:

    What a great hook! And now, for the rest of the story? Please?

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  11. Liz Young's avatar Liz Young says:

    Intriguing story, David, and a great photo.

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  12. Ok. That was scary. Chilling, David.

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  13. Dear David,

    OOOh. Nine-fingered hand? Spine tingling story. Thanks for the great photo. 😉

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  14. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

    David, now you have my sci-fi gears turning, wondering along with your MC what is going on in the beyond of their world.

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