Footprints in the Sand


Professor Graunt of the Healding Institute was the first to spot the rift.

โ€œItโ€™s clearly obvious, the more you look at it!โ€ He said, in his usual over-excited way. โ€œJust look at this remarkable photograph; the unmistakable footprints walking right to left, left foot first. The first two steps, clearly shodden, are those of an older person. The next two are barefoot, and most definitely younger. Look closely and notice the line in the sand that divides the two pairs of footprints.

โ€œThe ripples from the tide are clearly visible all over the sandโ€™s surface, but not at the band that intersects vertically across the centre. That band is the rift between time and space. That band is proof, PROOF I tell you, that time travel is not only possible, it exists and is readily available for anybody wishing to step back in timeโ€ฆ but in age though, not history.โ€

This post is in response to a writing challenge by Frank (from A Frank Angle). The badge above will take you to Frankโ€™s site, where other contributors are also linking. The challenge is to write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. I used each and every one of themโ€ฆ a slight variation on embracing the Inner Child, perhaps?

On a side note, this post is my two thousand two hundred and twenty second post here on WordPress. 2222! Yet another milestone reached!ย 

21 responses to “Footprints in the Sand”

  1. aFrankAngle avatar

    Well done Tom. I saw parallels with your story and mine … that is using the prints as evidence. But then yours took me on an unexpected trip of sci-fi. Thanks for joining in the fun … and I invite your readers to stop by. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Frank. I’m just trying to catch up quickly now.
      It was good that I could take part in your challenge.

      Like

  2. bcparkison avatar

    Wow…is that like going to the grocery store and your check is $99.99?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Something like that, Beverly, yes!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Dale avatar
    Dale

    Brilliant! Love your take on the prompt, Tom!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar
  4. Soul Gifts avatar
    Soul Gifts

    2+2+2+2=8 ! Abundance ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Joyful indeed, Raili.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Inside the Mind of Isadora avatar

    Interesting take on the prompt, Tom. Detectives combing the beach for clues to prove a Sci-Fi theory. I like Soul Gifts #’s adding up to 8 creating abundance. Hopefully, it’s abundance of peace.
    Isadora ๐Ÿ˜Ž

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      That would be nice, Isadora.
      See, though… time travel is possible! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  6. roughwighting avatar

    YES, I like the way this prompt took you outside of our sandy, hard rock dimension, and into the zone of time travel. I’m a believer!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Roughwighting!
      It’s the only way!

      Like

  7. prenin avatar

    You certainly make me think Tom! ๐Ÿ™‚

    When I saw the picture I thought of the old addage: ‘I had a dream where I was stood upon the shore and in the sand there were sometimes one set of footprints, sometimes two and I asked God: “Why are there two sets of footprints?” And God said: “That is where I walked beside you when times were good.” And I Asked: “Why then are there only one set of footprints when Times were Hard?” And God replied: “That is when I carried you.”

    God Bless my friend! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Prenin.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      I did think of that myself, Prenin, but then went with time travel, as you do!
      Thinking’s good! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  8. -Eugenia avatar

    Brilliant take on the prompt, Tom. Wow! 2222 posts – I am impressed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Eugenia. I do tend to churn them out, however!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Michael avatar

    Really enjoyed that obsessed with rifts as i am…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      That see? was actually meant for this comment.
      The joke has passed now.

      Like

  10. Michael avatar

    Really enjoyed that Tom obsessed with rifts as i am…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tom Merriman avatar

      Thanks, Michael, and welcome!
      I did reply to this comment last week, before you commented in fact, but it has taken until now to appear… ๐Ÿ˜‰
      You can meet yourself coming backwards around here…

      Like

    2. Tom Merriman avatar

      See?! ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Like

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