This morning, I went out into the yard—just to water the flowers and check if the cats had scattered litter, as usual. But as soon as I opened the gate, I immediately smelled a terrible odor. It made my chest tighten and my mouth taste metallic. I took a few steps and froze. Something was moving on the ground next to the flowerbed. 🫣 In front of me lay something slimy, reddish, as if turned inside out. It reeked of rotting meat, as if someone had hidden a dead animal somewhere nearby. I even recoiled—my heart was pounding, and the most terrifying thoughts rushed through my head. “”What is this? A maggot? A strange creature? The remains of an alien?”” I couldn’t figure it out. 😲 I picked up my phone, took a photo, and, wincing at the smell, went searching for answers online. When I searched for “”red slimy, rotten smelling discharge,”” the search engine returned a very unpleasant and strange result. I was horrified when I realized what it was. 😨😱 Continued in the first comment. 👇

What began as an ordinary morning in my garden quickly became something unexpected. I stepped outside with my usual plan—watering the flowers and making sure everything looked the same as the day before. Instead, an unusually strong scent drifted across the yard, sharp enough to make me pause. Curious, I followed the direction of the smell and noticed a small, unfamiliar object near the flowerbed.

Its shape and color didn’t match anything I typically find outdoors, and for a moment I hesitated, unsure whether to get closer or leave it undisturbed. Curiosity won, and I moved in for a closer look while being careful not to touch it. Even up close, the object remained difficult to identify, which added to the moment’s uncertainty.

I decided to take a quick photo and search for possibilities. The results suggested it could be a type of fungus known for appearing suddenly and giving off a strong, unusual scent. That explanation eased much of the concern I initially felt and made the situation seem far less threatening. The details matched what I had noticed—the distinct smell, the strange shape, and the sudden appearance after damp weather.

Realizing it could simply be an unusual natural growth shifted the moment from confusion to curiosity. It no longer felt like an alarming discovery but rather an unexpected part of the garden’s ecosystem. As I finished watering the flowers, I reflected on how quickly unfamiliar things can create unease. That morning became a gentle reminder that sometimes a small mystery just needs a calm moment and a closer look to feel completely manageable.