“It has no mouth, no eyes, 720 sexes, and can detect food and digest it?”
The deep rumbling voice of the scientist travels through its cells and it hears, despite having no brain.
“It thrives in temperatures oscillating between 19 and 25 degrees Celsius and in high levels of humidity. Acacia trees, oak bark and chestnut bark are its favourite places to grow,” the voice continues. “It has some amazing characteristics. It can move at a speed of 1.6 inches per hour, heal itself when it’s dissected and solve problems.”
Lying in petri dishes, three to each workstation in the science laboratory, it gives no indication that it is listening and considering every word that is spoken.
“You each have a scalpel and a piece of the slime mold on the table in front of you. We are going to dissect it so that you can see it fuse itself back together again.”
A cacophony of murmured sound vibrates its cells and it senses the students reaching for their scalpels.
With shocking speed, it shoots out long tentacles, each separate piece joining with its fellow blobs lying in their petri dishes. As they bond together through the tentacles, each piece transmits its learning to all the others. It is now ready to act as one unit and digest the flesh and bacteria it finds within its radius.
The joined-up blobs collectively inflate with air and expel it with great force. They propel through the air and attach themselves to the faces of the shocked students. It feeds with enjoyment while working on solving the complex problem of exiting the laboratory and dealing with the resultant changes to its environment.
This short piece was written for Diana Peach’s November writing challenge. You can join in here: https://mythsofthemirror.com/2019/10/31/a-november-writing-challenge/
The cover of my new book, Through the Nethergate, has been selected for the AllAuthor cover of the month competition. If you have a few moments, I would love it if you would pop over and vote for it here:
Eeww… meant in the best of ways! Oh, and I did VOTE!
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Thank you, Annette. Much appreciated. There is a blob of slimy moss like this but it doesn’t eat people …. yet!
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Ha! This is gross, Robbie, but I loved it. I could feel the tension build and could see it all happening. Great writing as always. Thanks again for taking up the challenge. 😀
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Thanks, Diana. I needed a break from the seige of Mafeking and this was fun to write.
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You had me at 720 sexes. I didn’t realize Diana had another challenge out. Maybe i can work it into my NaNoWriMo story. Hugs on the wing.
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The beginning part of this is all true, Teagan, as well as the bit about working together and growing its intelligence. The only made up bit is the blob attacking people …. that could change, of course [giggle]. I would love to see your contribution.
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Voted for the cover, Robbie, and your book is in my friend’s hand to read.
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Thank you, Danny.
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Great writing and yes, voted for the cover!
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Thank you, John. I appreciate your vote.
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I live this Robbie the ameba fights back 💜🌈💞
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Never underestimate things. Have a lovely new week, Willow.
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Excellent Robbie, I meant I live this not live this .lol 💞💞
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Yes, I know.
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🥴💜💜
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It was only a matter of time…(K)
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Absolutely. When you play with fire, at some stage you must get burned.
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Definitely nonhuman, Robbie! Shocking and surprising!
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Thank you, Audrey. A little relief from my current WIP
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Oh cool! Love this one Robbie 😁
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I am glad to know that, Jessica. I thought maybe it was a bit to gross.
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I love gross though!
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Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
Robbie brings us a typical high school science class. Or NOT! I hope you enjoy the story. 🙂
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Thank you for sharing, Diana. Something a bit different [again! – wink]
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It was great, Robbie. Thanks for taking the time to write for the challenge. ❤
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Freaky fun! Well done Robbie. 🙂
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Thank you, Brad. Something a bit different for me.
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It’s fun to break our habits and try new styles.
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It is and I am a great one for trying out new things.
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Yes, you’re a great model for many things.
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Thank you, Brad.
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You’re welcome.
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I was certain Biology class would end like this.
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It is become a greater possibly as we meddle more and more with nature. Thanks for visiting, Dan.
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Ew! No wonder I avoided biology, lol
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So did I, Jacquie. I was always worried it would end like this. Give me science explosions any day.
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Very creepy – and there probably is a species of slime like that somewhere 🙂
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Thank you, Andrea. There is and I based this piece on that article. Don’t worry, it hasn’t been know to eat people … yet.
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I love the perspective you’ve written from here!
And I’ve voted for you 👌🏻
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Thank you, I really appreciate it.
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Yikes! 😀 From a simple experiment the whole of humanity at risk! Fantastic gripping writing, Robbie! It finished far too soon!
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Thank you, Annika. I am glad you liked my attempt at something different.
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I’ve heard about that blob thing on the news! SUCH A COOL PERSPECTIVE! Loved this.
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I am so glad you also read about it. It is really fascinating. I just added a few nasty characteristics.
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Yes! It was a good story.
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wow this is taking your imaginative creativity to another level all together … very well composed Robbie 🙂
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Thank you, it is a bit different for me, Kate.
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it is but still you shine!
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This was pretty much my reaction to 10th grade biology class!
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I never took biology in high school, Liz. Human meddling with genetics and other things is a bit scary to me.
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