“Night Watch” — FWG Flash Fiction for 8/23/2025

There is a good reason for some traditions.

The prompt is:

https://pixabay.com/photos/town-festive-season-monschau-winter-7590138

NIGHT WATCH

Terri stood atop the ridge and glared down at the town.

“It’s three o’clock in the morning and this place is lit up like a Christmas display.”

Janice shrugged. “I think it’s kinda cute.”

“Cute? Well…maybe. But regardless, this light pollution isn’t helping our observation schedule. Saturn will only be visible from—” She checked her watch. “—an hour from now until sunrise, and the glow from this tiny town will cut that time in half. Why is it so lit up, anyway?”

Janice, who grew up in the forest  on the slopes above them, lowered her voice. “They say the townsfolk leave their lights on all night to ward off the monsters that live in these mountains.”

Terri’s eyes got wide, then she barked a laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding. It’s the twenty-first century, for goodness sake.”

Janice shrugged again. “Superstitions die hard. By now, it’s more of a tradition, I suppose. Their tourist brochures even tout how safe the place is.”

“Safe? From monsters?”

Now Janice laughed. “Nah, Would you mug someone when it’s lit up like broad daylight? Besides, there are Night Watch sensors on every gable.”

“Night Watch sensors? What, like surveillance?”

“Sort of. But they replace the patrolling watchmen. The sensors detect the scent of the monsters.”

The growl in her voice when Janice said the word sent a chill down Terri’s spine.

“Very funny.”

Terri turned away from the overlook and stopped, frozen in her tracks. Janice had dropped to all fours, and her eyes glowed red like two embers. Janice, or the thing that used to be Janice, growled again. Her voice was barely recognizable.

“I’m not joking. And I am very, very sorry.”

Her leap and her fangs stopped Terri’s scream as the Night Watch sirens below began to howl.

THE END