Second Crusader Challenge

Rach posted the following challenge for us on Friday:

Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The goldfish bowl teetered” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional, and not part of the judging criteria), see if you can write the story in your own genre (eg if you’re a horror writer, write a horror story; a romance writer, a romance story, etc).

Being short doesn't help me when it comes to writing short fiction, especially flash fiction. Here's my story, 99 words long sans title:

Alien Restaurant

The goldfish bowl teetered as the lizard clambered over the side, then dropped in. Her gills flared as she circled around to inspect the castle, the blue-and-white pebbles, the plastic diver. Bright orange fish fled in front of her, but with a burst of speed, she captured one and swallowed it.

The lizard poked her head out of the bowl and faced her spaceship. "Cozy, play area for hatchlings, fresh food..." She burped. "I would give this restaurant four claws, but the waitstaff is unresponsive, so only three.” A flick of her tail, and the diver lost his head.

For more goldfish-inspired fiction, check out the other entries linked to Rach's post above.