M.P. Witwer is the readers’ choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.
The winning entry is recognized with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.
Without further ado, here’s the winning story:
Shape of an Ape
by M.P. Witwer
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
That had been my mistake, accepting the mission in the first place. But when was the last time you heard of the Impossible Missions Force declining to do anything?
Disguises have come a long way in recent years. Nowadays, we actually become someone else…or in my case, something else. And why exactly did I choose to take the form of a female orangutan? Because the job required not only intelligence and dexterity, but also stealth — which isn’t exactly the strong suit of other great apes.
With my knowledge of electronics and the strength of an orangutan, breaking into the control center and reconfiguring the alarm system had been a breeze. To escape, I needed only to get to the canopy of the trees, where I could move quickly, quietly and unseen.
With just minutes to spare, I settled into my seat at the lab and surveyed the sleeping creatures strapped in around me: an otter, a raccoon and a capuchin monkey. Wait, someone was missing! Despite my rising panic, the technicians calmly went about hooking me up to the modified dialysis machine, along with intravenous sedation.
Drifting into unconsciousness, I felt a hand grasp mine, and turned my head to look into the eyes of a male orangutan, who nodded slightly. Hours later, we awoke as humans, our fingers still entwined.
“Glad you made it back in time,” I said sleepily.
“Me too,” he replied, giving my hand another squeeze.
Great Job, M.P! I really enjoyed your story. 🙂
Thank you very much! 🙂