Photo copyright Douglas M. MacIlroy
Mama? MAMA!!!!!!!!
Jolted awake, Linda stumbled down the darkened hallway, miraculously reaching Benji’s bedside without breaking an ankle on the toys littering his floor.
What is it, baby? What’s wrong?
The robot. It’s watching me!
The Lego robot you built this afternoon? It’s just a toy, sweetie. It can’t watch you.
But its eyes…they lit up!
It was just a dream, love. Lay back down and I’ll tuck you in.
I’m scared, Mama.
Benji, you’re a big boy. Big boys aren’t scared of Legos. Go to sleep.
Linda didn’t notice the glowing orbs that tracked her exit from Benji’s room.
________________________________________
I know, I know. It’s a picture of the Eiffel Tower. You were probably expecting a tale of love and romance. But all I saw when Rochelle first posted this week’s photo was a creepy robot (sorry, Doug). So that’s the direction I took for my 100-word submission for Friday Fictioneers.
Things I See and Know 
The Bumble Files
December 28, 2013 at 1:20 AM
Great take. I love it! Toys are alive, you know. They truly are!
Sandra
December 28, 2013 at 3:11 AM
Always a great spooky idea, sentient toys. Nicely done.
claudia
December 28, 2013 at 3:58 AM
oh my… this is scary indeed…. when i first saw the pic i noticed the lights that look like eyes as well… like a robot indeed… cool woven story…
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
December 28, 2013 at 5:15 AM
Ha.. that was fun.. hope the robot came with good intentions…
rochellewisoff
December 28, 2013 at 5:48 AM
Ah Michelle,
This is the kind of stuff the best Twilight Zones were made of. As always, your writing is stellar. I could feel the toys beneath my feet. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
kz
December 28, 2013 at 6:48 AM
when will parents learn to listen to their kids? 🙂 definitely Twilight Zone. i enjoyed this a lot.
patrickprinsloso
December 28, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Linda, believe the boy. Spoooooky.
liz young
December 28, 2013 at 12:04 PM
If my ten-year-old grandson wasn’t suffering from a sore throat I might read him this story – he’s a Lego addict!
nanclairefalkner
January 2, 2014 at 1:13 AM
Great story – this was terrific!