“Have you ever seen just two maggots?” she asked.
He turned toward her. “Maggots?” he asked.
“You know what they are, right?” she said. “Fly larvae that eat rotting flesh.”
“I am not tracking on this conversation,” he said, shaking his head.
“Two maggots,” she repeated. “There are usually disgusting piles of them, spilling out of dead things in horror movies.”
He stared at her.
She continued, “All squirmy, white, gross. Coming out of eye-sockets or cheeks or pouring out of ripped-open stomaches.”
He shook his head. “Why are you talking about this?” he asked. “Halloween was so last month.”
“Two. Maggots,” she said.
He stared.
“Two maggots. Twomaggots. Twomaggots. C’mon TWO MAGGOTS,” she said, and pointed at the cafe sign.
“Les Deux Magots,” he read, and started laughing.
“What??” she asked.
He took a deep breath. He had only just met her through the dating app and wanted to be careful not to offend.
“Les Deux,” he said, “IS two or both.”
She put her hand on her hip and said, quite sassily, “I KNOW. I took French in high school.”
“But magot is NOT the same as maggot,” he continued. “Magots is loot or a jackpot.”
She looked disappointed.
“I can show you some maggots, though,” he offered.
“Really?” she asked.
He thought about the newly vacated room in his dungeon. Yeah, the maggots were probably pouring out his recent carcass. But she would be a lovely addition to his tenants.
“Yes,” he said.
This is my response to the Unicorn Challenge, and also something more than a nod to C.E.Ayr’s rather horrifying tales that he contributes to it.
I usually write a mundane parent-child conversation as a response to the photo prompt. CE writes stories — in 250 words or less — that respond to the photo, but that leave me with nightmares.
So — I tip my hat to you, C.E. Ayr.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
*shudder* This is horrifying! (and rather amusing too)
A scary story all the more scary because you never know who you have met …..💜💜
Ummmm, eeeeeeewwwwwwwww! And yikes! I hope she declined!
Laughing.
I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted, Sally.
But I do so approve when contributors create their own nightmares, it saves me the hassle!
I enjoyed this story as much as the maggots will enjoy the lady character.
Oh!! Please don’t be insulted!
1. You are an inspiration
2. Masterful at this you are! (Channeling a little Yoda for you, because you, too, are a legendary master)
3. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (so said Anne of Green Gables)
I think this is the first time I’ve blushed since I saw Janet Leigh taking a shower.
I hope she remembered to tell a friend where she was going!
And welcome to being a nightmare generator!
I love it when people’s stories bounce off each other – creativity at work.
lol
excellent story (and twist)
Oh, dear Lord! Not again!
Ack! and Yikes!
Ha-ha — I totally agree!! CEAyre writes stories that start off nice and feel-good, but end up in a dungeon. I was channeling a little of HIM.
Oh good God! Such a spiraling twist into the macabre. Well played, Sally. Well. Played. 🤣
Hahaha — I was pretty proud of the way I was able to evoke a little CEAyre for this story.
👍😄