A Mole Among Us

Uncut story: probably about 326 words

I listened from behind the rocky wall, holding a light grenade in my hand and trying to get my timing right. My new shoes had already attracted a layer of dust. I frowned down at my feet, annoyed. I could buy another pair, but I really didn't feel like going on another boring shopping trip.

My eyes flickered lazily over the red, brown and blue expanses of rock behind me, dulled by the twilight haze. There was so much freaking dust and I was getting impatient. Pranks like these usually went a bit quicker. I turned my attention back to the gaping cave entrance to my left and kept listening.

The adults always told us not to go beyond the mountains, but nobody listened. It was way too fun to prank the rock people. Moles, we called them, and they were half blind and really very pathetic. They went absolutely crazy when we broke into their cave-homes and shone light in their eyes. It was hilarious and this sort of pranking had become a tradition among us.

I heard shuffling and prepared to activate my light grenade. There was silence for a moment and then a shadow shuffled out from the shadows of the cave. This was new, they never came out of their caves willingly. I didn't care, it suited me. I grinned in anticipation. I pushed a button on my light grenade and threw it.

Nothing happened. I blinked and waited for the usual loud popping sound and flashing flare-light to appear. Nothing.

The shadowy figure growled and started towards me and I turned and ran in the direction of my hovercraft. Something hit my shoulder and I cried out, turning my head to look at the one-metre creature following me persistently. It was carrying a small collection of rocks. As I turned my head, the mole lifted an arm and slung a rock at my head, aimed right between my eyes.