Daryl’s eyelids drooped as he looked out the window. After a few minutes of watching the ground flow passed like water, something green on the wing drew his attention. He rubbed his eyes and leaned closer to the glass.
The gremlin staring back at him cocked its head and grinned, its wide mouth full of too many teeth. He closed his eyes and looked away. When he looked back, the creature was gone.
He laughed and tipped his chair back to get some much needed rest.
Outside-hidden beneath the wing-the gremlin pried a rivet free from the engine.
—
This story was written for Friday Fictioneers. My original thought was a treasure hunt because of the X on the ground. Second thought was a sniper taking an impossible shot from a moving plane. Finally I settled on the classic gremlin on the wing of the plane. Poor Daryl thinks he’s hallucinating.
July 30th, 2014 at 7:45 AM
I could really picture the naughty gremlin. Great job.
July 30th, 2014 at 7:46 AM
Oh dear, well I doubt that’s going to end well.
July 30th, 2014 at 7:47 AM
Adam, Good story. Nasty little gremlin. I remember a classic grelim-on-the-wing story from years ago. I think it was on the Twilight Zone, and starred a young William Shatner. O_o A scary, well-written story. :) —Susan
July 30th, 2014 at 8:26 AM
One of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes. Very creepy.
July 30th, 2014 at 9:05 AM
Spooky. Even worse than seeing one on the end of your bed I should imagine. Nice one Adam.
July 30th, 2014 at 9:16 AM
Sorry to disappoint you, my friend, but it’s far too early in the morning to be drunk much less dole out a half-drunken rant. You, however, have not disappointed me with your Friday Fictioneers response today. Posted early and spot on. Neatly handled! I hope your hero paid attention during the pre-fight safety drill.
Cheers!
MG
July 30th, 2014 at 1:32 PM
If you had said something about the gremlin coming inside to serve the drinks …
July 30th, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Very gruesomely funny!
July 30th, 2014 at 3:18 PM
Those darned pesky gremlins..
July 30th, 2014 at 4:58 PM
Bad gremlin! (Good story.)
July 30th, 2014 at 8:13 PM
Crap! I guess he thought he was seeing things and he wasn’t. Crap!
July 30th, 2014 at 10:54 PM
Well-told story.
Riveting.
Randy
July 31st, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Attack of the Gremlins - that explains why we are having so many crashes now a days !
July 31st, 2014 at 4:00 AM
Nice story! I was so close to writing something very similar. That would have been a bit like showing up at the same party wearing the same outfit :-)
July 31st, 2014 at 6:43 AM
Dear Adam,
John Lithgow, too…
Aloha,
Doug
July 31st, 2014 at 6:43 AM
Dear Adam,
Not something you want to see on the wing of your flight. Nasty little gremlins. Shouldn’t have fed him after midnight.
shalom,
Rochelle
July 31st, 2014 at 7:26 AM
Twilight Zone - wouldn’t expect anything less from you. :)
August 1st, 2014 at 1:25 PM
Good story, though a bit troubling! I had a similar idea but not so scary.
August 2nd, 2014 at 11:22 AM
You and Perry were on the same wave length this week. Now, that’s scary! Very well written, Adam.
August 2nd, 2014 at 3:46 PM
I love a good gremlin story. I didn’t even notice the “X” on the ground. I think this prompt is full of possibilities! I enjoyed your take. Nicely done.
August 3rd, 2014 at 2:51 PM
Dear Adam, I have looked out on the wings of airplanes many times and I have never seen a gremlin yet - however - I watched Twilight Zone years ago and that gave me the creeps. Love your story too! Nan :)
August 4th, 2014 at 5:27 PM
Almost missed your story as i thought i’d already read it. Glad I did a second visit. Excellent story Adam. Love the Gremlin.
August 5th, 2014 at 7:25 PM
Eeek! It’s an angry gremlin then.
Lily