“So, why are you here, Alina?” the counselor asked.
I sighed. “Whenever I touch someone, I can tell what they are feeling by the color they emit. I’ve had this gift for years. But, recently, when I bump into some people on the street, a pulsating black cloud covers their faces, then blows away in a crackling silver mist.”
The counselor’s color was light tea green. She didn’t believe me. No one believed me, until the day the Overlords arrived in their silver ships. The takeover happened fast as their soldiers had walked among us for years in human form.
~~
This piece of flash fiction is my contribution to “Friday Fictioneers,” a weekly challenge hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields. With the help of a photo prompt to inspire, we’re to write a 100-word story. This week, a colorful photo has been provided by Dale Rogerson.
If you would like to join in with this encouraging group of writers or read their stories from this week, visit HERE.
Thoughts of a Wanderer 
She can see colours in people? Fascinating idea, but I hope that ending isn’t a premonition! 🙂
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I’m afraid so. 🙂 The story was prompted by research I’ve been doing on a character I’m writing about who is a synesthete (sort of). Someone whose senses are crossed. I’m happy you enjoyed the story.
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An echo of contemporary events?
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Hmm, maybe? 😉
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To be fair, I probably wouldn’t have believed her either! 😉
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For sure, it would be difficult to believe. Too bad no one did though. 🙂
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Sounds like a modern day Cassandra, no one believing her until it’s too late. Nice story. 🙂
-David
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I looked up Cassandra and I like the comparison!! I’m glad you enjoyed the story, David. 🙂
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An interesting take on the prompt. You were clever combining the highly unusual gift of perceiving peoples’ auras with an invasion by aliens – and the disguise that they seemed to use. Are the auras are just how Alina’s brain presents real but subliminal prompts from those she meets? That would account for the systematic difference the aliens showed.
As you can see, your story rather fascinated me!
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Hi Penny, I’m sorry for the late reply. I’m very happy you enjoyed the story and found it fascinating. Alina sees color when she touches someone, either indicating the nature of the person or how they are feeling. I’m working on this idea for a larger piece I’ve been writing so I don’t have all the details straight in my mind yet. =) All the aliens presented the same colors, indicating they were not human with normal human emotions. It was strange to Alina and she knew it was somehow wrong at the same time. Thanks so much for your comments and feedback!
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Nice stuff, loved the idea of a synthestete, that’s a really rich vein of stuff i’m sure!
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Thanks so much for your nice comment! It has been lots of fun to read about and consider, and to apply to my characters in different ways. =)
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A story that gives food for thought, I enjoyed it
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Michael! Still trying to work on dialogue too (as I mentioned to you some time ago). =)
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The idea that colour is associated with moods, as noted in the phrase, she brightens up a room. I’m a bit worried about these Overlords and their dark clouds. I enjoyed this and noted a sinister, dystopian murky mauve colour in the writing.
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I love the murky mauve! =) The Overlords have seeded the human population and their intent is not good for sure. Alina (and maybe others) can recognize their minions (disguised in human form) where others cannot. So, there’s a chance to fight back. I’m having so much fun! (hehe) Thank you for the wonderful comments!
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Fascinating concept. Well done.
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Thank you so much, Sandra. I’m having a lot of fun with the idea. =)
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Clever idea, Brenda, and well executed.
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Thank you lots! High praise indeed. =)
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“Told you so!” laughed Alina as she was dragged away for “recycling”… nice one!
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Or … maybe … “She used her gift to avoid being taken. Hiding away, she found others just like her. Now, it was time to fight back!” Lots of fun this writing thing is!! =)
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Dear Brenda,
Imaginative story. Too bad she couldn’t get anyone to listen. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was too bad indeed. Thanks so much for your kind comment, Rochelle! =)
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Wow, intriguing concept! Would make a great longer piece.
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I appreciate your encouragement. It has pushed me further down the path of including synesthesia in my “big” story that I’ve been working on. =)
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Keep me updated!
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it looks like humanity is doomed. better enjoy life while it lasts. 🙂
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That’s a wise motto anytime, “Enjoy life!” Thanks for commenting! =)
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Two overlords this week!
I really liked this, Brenda. Such great imagination you have.
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Thank you so much, Dale, for your lovely comment. I didn’t reply until now because your comment went to my spam. Have a wonderful weekend!
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This is wonderful.
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I’m so happy you enjoyed it!! =)
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Ability to predict another person’s fate by touch is a power. Those who are taken away by the overlords in the silver ship, do they get angry by the touch? Or only those who are to be taken away, the non believers like the tea green counsellor, are touched?
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The Overlord’s soldiers have taken human form. Alina could distinguish them (though she didn’t understand at first) from true humans by the black cloud they emitted. Alina has a gift, she can see the emotions of others by the color they emit. The light tea green of the counselor indicated the counselor was bored or disbelieving. The counselor didn’t believe Alina had such a gift. Anyway…hope this makes the story clearer. haha
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It does thank you. Nice and futuristic!
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“They Live!” I thought for sure after she told the therapist she would see that black misty cloud and the disguise would drop away. Good story!
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Thought about that too, but the word limit kept me within a narrow path. Love this challenge! Thanks so much for commenting. =)
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You are very welcome and I understand about the word limit.
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the color people are feeling reminds me of the old “mood rings.”
Very intriguing story. I enjoyed it very much.
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Oh my, I remember those! Thanks so much for your encouragement. So glad you liked the story, Russell. =)
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Lots of invasions and overlords this week. I like it.
It must have been a horrible moment for Alina when she realized what the clouds meant too late to do anything. Not that anyone would have believed her, but she could have at least tried.
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There is a bit of a theme going this week. (haha) Thank you so much for commenting. =)
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A good, well-written sci-fi story, Brenda. That’s rather scary because it could be real. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks so much, Suzanne! =)
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Combining aura reading with alien invasion, what fun. That’d be a great premise for longer adventures.
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I’m working on something and the research has been fascinating. Thanks so much for commenting!!
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I’m working on something and the research has been fascinating. Thanks so much for commenting!!
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