Wednesday Words: She Had Been Warned

Flash fiction using the prompt: “She had been warned…”

Katie watched carefully. In front of her, the Gate was a swirling riot of color. Moments ago, the stone archway had stood empty and silent, but now a visitor was arriving. As Gatekeeper, Katie’s job was to determine if the interdimensional travelers intended harm to earth. If so, she wouldn’t allow them in.

A tall figure appeared in the opening and stepped out into Katie’s basement. Its skin seemed to have the texture of a sea creature, but smooth—like a whale—not scaled. It wore a breathing apparatus–that appeared to be filled with a liquid–over its mouth and nose.

The creature’s feelings and intent washed over Katie like a freight train, forcing her to stagger back a step. She had been warned that her ability to sense the visitors’ intentions would be amplified when she took over as Gatekeeper. However, it hadn’t been this strong before: nervousness, excitement, and an academic curiosity.

The visitor nodded slightly at Katie and, with a wave of its hand, glowing symbols appeared in the air.

“I can interpret if you give me time, but is it possible you speak English?” Katie was moving to grab the large logbook off the desk as she spoke.

“Of course.” The glowing shifted into a legible handwriting. “Can you tell me if I have arrived on Earth?”

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