Wildflowers

Kweerie's entry for the first ever Uemb writing competition! She won first place and her Scorpion character won the best character award!

Only the slightest bit of sun remained above the tops of the trees as Annie hopped down the path. She had

hoped to have been home with the tadpoles by this point but Karen simply would not shut up. Annie

could not possibly care less about what color dragonflies her friend had seen this week, especially since it

was the exact same set as last visit. But still, the old dear had very few visitors these days and had much

trouble just getting about. Each time she dropped in, Annie wondered if it would be the last, so she would

remain and nod politely as Karen prattled on in a senile meandering of frivolity.

She entered the clearing just before the stream and then froze. There on the bank, staring wistfully off to

the distance was a scorpion. Perhaps if she just backed up slowly, she could get away without it noticing

her. This would mean it would take twice as long, having to head down to the next crossing, and she was

already late as it was, but not having to deal with this threat may have been worth the hassle. That

decision, however, was made for her, as the other creature turned and stared directly at her.

“Howdy, y’all” the scorpion said with a big grin, and started to shuffle forward.

“HI!” Annie practically screamed, not sure of what to do. The scorpion took a step back.

“Y’all okay, honey? I know frogs have big eyes, but yours look like they’re ‘bout to burst right outta your

pretty little head.”

“I’m… I… I’m FINE!” Annie stammered. “Yes. Fine. Perfectly fine. Hehe.” What was going to happen?

“Aw, darling,” the scorpion replied, “surely you’re not scared of li’l ole me?”

“I… I… PLEASE DON’T STING ME!!!”

“Tee hee hee” it giggled “Oh honey, I ain’t gonna sting nobody.”

“You’re not?”

“Course.”

“But you’re a scorpion!”

“You don’t say.” it laughed.

“Scorpions sting. It’s what they do.”

“Now, that’s a bit rude, don’tcha think?”

“I… I’m sorry. But… Sorry. Very sorry.”

“Don’t fret none, sugar. Name’s Beatrice by the way. But all my friends call me Trixie.”

“I wasn’t aware scorpions had friends.” Annie blurted out.

“Well I do declare…”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t really mean it that way. I’m just… I’m really nervous. I’ve never met a scorpion

before… ”

“You don’t say,” Trixie chuckled again. “We’re really not as bad as folks let on, Miss… ?”

“Annie. My name is Annie.”

“Okay Miss Annie. It’s a pleasure to meet y’all.”

“Likewise,” Annie replied out of sheer politeness. Trixie smirked slightly. “Why are… What brings you

out here today?”

“Oh, just looking ‘cross the creek. You see, I lived all my life on this side on account of I can’t swim.

And I was talking to this jay a bit ago, wonderful fellow this jay, and he told me about a meadow on the

other side, a beautiful meadow with the prettiest wildflowers as far as the eye can see… And I just… I

really wish I could get over there.”

“How come the jay didn’t take you?”

“Oh, he went down rather quickly.” Trixie said matter-of-factly. “Down the other direction. By chance,

are y’all headed up that way?”

Annie’s pulse quickened. She had indeed been planning on crossing the river here. But could she tell

Trixie that? She dreaded the invariable follow up that would come if she did. Annie took a deep breath as

the scorpion beamed at her, awaiting an answer.

“I am.” Annie confessed.

“Fancy that! I would be ever so grateful if’n y’all could give me a lift…”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Come on now, puh-leeease,” Trixie pleaded. “I won’t bite.”

“It’s not a bite I’m worried about.”

“Oh, honey, I told you I ain’t gonna sting nobody. Y’all just gotta help me see them flowers!”

“I don’t know…”

“Look, sugar, think about it like this: If’n I were to sting y’all while we was in the middle of crossing, I’d

die too. I’d have to be some kind of crazy fool to do such a thing.”

“I’m really not sure.”

“Well… what if, since y’all won’t carry me cross, what if y’all went down to the meadow and brought me

back some flowers? Couldja at least manage that?”

Annie sighed as she stared up at the sky, now a brilliant red as the sun dipped below the horizon. “I’m

sorry, I can’t do that. I’d like to, but I don’t have the time. I need to get back to my tadpoles.”

“Y’all are a momma? That’s so precious. But please, just carry me across then. It won’t take no more

time.”

“Ugh. Promise you won’t sting me?”

“Cross my heart’n hope to… well y’all know.”

“I wasn’t aware scorpions had hearts.” Annie said dryly.

“Come on now! There’s no need to be rude. ‘Sides, it’s just an expression. I’m appealing to your good

graces, not biological facts here. Now are y’all gonna be a dear and take me over there or not? Let’s get

a’moving, your babies are waiting!”

“Alright.” Annie relented.

“Oh sugar, you are a peach!” Trixie squealed, clicking her pincers and dancing a bit. “I could just pinch

your cheeks, y’all have made me happier ‘en a pig in s**t!”

“Let’s just go. Climb on.”

“Don’t you worry none,” Trixie cried with glee, skittering up on top of Annie. “Y’all’ll be with your little

one’s soon enough. And I’m gonna be on the other side!”

Annie cautiously made her way to the edge of the water, not wanting to upset the scorpion on her back

with any sudden movements. Her heart raced. There was a scorpion on her back. What was she doing?

Why couldn’t she just have said no? Too late now. She waded into the water, and took off. “Hold on,

now. Don’t want you falling off. Let’s both get there safely” Trixie just hummed to herself.

The current wasn’t particularly strong, as Annie navigated around various debris drifting along, making

sure to keep her passenger above water. Trixie continued to hum, singing bits every now and then.

“Crossing the river… deet da dee... On my new friend’s back… la la la… Gonna see them flowers… Doo

doo doo do doo” They were about half-way across, as the last twinklings of sunlight dropped out of

vision. So far, so good, and at this distance from the shore, the scorpion wasn’t likely to try anything, lest

she herself perish. Once they neared the other bank, who knows what would happen, but for now she

could breathe safe.

-PRICK-

“What was that?” Annie shrieked.

“Hmmm? I didn’t hear anything…”

“Did you just sting me?!”

“What? Course not.”

“I can’t feel my legs!” Annie cried.

“It’s okay, sugar. Everything’s gonna be just fine.”

“I’m going to die!” Annie sobbed.

“True, true. Everything dies…”

“Oh my god! You stung me!”

“What’s done is done, honey.”

“I’m never going to see my babies again!”

“Your little ones’ll be with you soon enough.”

“You’re going to die!”

“Happens to the best of us, darling. Teeheehee.”

The numbness gave way to a warmth, that spread throughout Annie. The shoreline hazily faded, as all of

her surroundings seemed to melt into blackness. The whole of her universe became silent, serene, and

still.

In the pale moonlight, the scorpion’s giggles erupted into a full fledged cackle, as the two bodies sank

beneath the surface.