Furies

Have you ever noticed something strange from the corner of your eye that vanishes when you try to look at it directly? Most of us dismiss these fleeting glimpses as tricks of light or optical illusions. But what if they're something more?

John Shuttleworth's captivating short story "Furies" invites us into a world where those peripheral flickers might actually be living creatures with remarkable adaptations for avoiding human detection. Narrated by Shuttleworth himself, this tale begins with a seemingly ordinary observation—mysterious movements appearing more visible against a new cream-coloured carpet. From this simple premise unfolds a delightful adventure that balances whimsy with just enough plausibility to make listeners wonder about the unseen aspects of their own homes.

When our protagonist accidentally captures one of these elusive beings—a feat supposedly impossible due to their unique camouflage abilities—the story takes an unexpected turn. The discovery of Taronga Zoo's secret "Invisibles Department" and the matter-of-fact response to this extraordinary situation creates a wonderful tension between the mundane and the magical. As Shuttleworth weaves through the bureaucratic handling of something that should be earth-shattering, we're left questioning what's real and what's imagined.

Whether you interpret "Furies" as a charming flight of fancy or a clever commentary on how we process the unexplainable, this story will leave you glancing sideways at the shadows in your home, wondering what might be scurrying just beyond your perception. Join us for this brief but memorable journey into the space between reality and imagination, and perhaps you'll never look at those dust motes the same way again. And remember—sometimes the most extraordinary discoveries happen when we're looking elsewhere.

 This piece is available in Edition I of Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers.

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