Dr. Toms receives a soil sample from planet Mars. Dr. Toms views the sample under a microscope.

At 5000X she sees hints of something different. She turns the magnification up to 20,000X.

Dr. Toms can see: it’s writing. The words say,

“If you can read this you are too close.“

Denny E. Marshall had had art, poetry, and fiction published, including fiction at Postcard Shorts. See more at dennymarshall.com.