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SEDIMENTARY LIFE

When is something alive? What separates a pool of hydrocarbons from a jellyfish? At what point does the random motion of molecules suddenly converge into that perfect, curious configuration that crosses the boundary between the two?

It was alive. Whether by the hand of some capricious god, or by simple chance, it had changed in some imperceptible way. It had woken up, and now it was beginning to explore. It heaved it's mottled exterior forward. The dry fibers that surrounded it on all sides scratched it gently. It rubbed itself against them and vibrated softly, as if purring.

The air was disturbed by the buzzing arrival of a newcomer. It was small, had six legs, and a pair of silky wings. It landed near the newly awakened creature. At the sudden intrusion, the thing recoiled and began to shift. It's smooth outer coating pulled back, then apart into thirds, unfolding like a bizarre flower. The segments pulled aside to revealing a set of pinkish gray tendrils coiled around a calcareous beak. It hissed in warning, and the insect paused for a second, but then began to approach again. Feeding tendrils lashed out and grasped the interloper with lightning speed. The insect struggled as the tentacles dragged it into the thing's waiting mouth.

It's digestive system was rudimentary at best, and digesting a meal this large would take time. It began to drag itself back to the pleasantly scratchy material it had woken within. It turned around briefly, luxuriating in the feeling of it's bedding, then settled down, dozing lightly.

A confused face looked down upon the brownish gray shape that sat on the display shelf. The object lay in a pile of straw next to a cardboard carton bearing a logo. A lone insect wing, once part of a large fly, lay a little farther off.

"Wasn't my pet rock facing the other way last night?"

Learn more about this author, Kristopher Chambers.
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