September 12, 2023, prompt: Write a story about the insect nation in 99 words (no more, no less). You can focus on a particular insect or all insects. Is your story one of acceptance and understanding? Scientific knowledge? Or apocalyptic horror? Get bugged and go where the prompt leads! See September 12: Story Challenge in 99 words for more details.
If You Go Down To The Woods – by Hugh W. Roberts
In the ancient woods, a spectral chill whispered through the leaves, carrying the wail of the Insect Nation’s forgotten souls.
Beetles, once known as sacred guardians, marched in supernatural processions. Fireflies, long extinguished, flickered like ghostly lanterns in the moonless night. Spiders wove threads of sorrow in their tattered webs, trapping echoes of their past.
But the creepy swarm of bluebottle flies sent shivers down the spine of all who trespassed. Their eerie hum was the insect kingdom’s tragic requiem, a reminder of their timeless dominion, unseen yet ever-present.
In the haunted woods, the Insect Nation’s phantoms reigned supreme.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’
Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
Paperback – £4.99
Kindle – £0.99
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Hi Hugh, a great piece of flash fiction here! I am going to buy your book! <3
Thank you so much, Carol anne. I hope you enjoy the stories in the book as much as you enjoyed this one here on my blog.
Very atmospheric. You’ve convinced me to stay as far away from the Insect Nation as possible!
Lol, I think it’s the paranormal world of insects that we need to stay clear of.
Well done! I felt for all these insects and spiders, it seemed more sad than spooky to me, a eulogy for passed insects, but the flies remind us all of passing and garnered no sympathy with their ever present and annoying hum.
The moment that hum enters a room, I politely open all the windows, hoping that the hum will fly out. Of course, it rarely happens, so I often have to give some help.
Thank you for the great feedback on this piece of flash. I do wonder if there is such a thing as a ghost insect.
Spooky!
Thanks!
An excellent capture of all the eeriness with rich descriptions. Well done Hugh. :)
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Debby.
Timeless dominion – you are so right! I do love the woods but you have brilliantly captured the creepy side!
Thank you. They can be creepy places, even during daylight hours. It’s why I never walk alone in them.
Delightfully unpleasant!
Thank you.
Bugs… I get it. They are definitely not on my list as favorites. Great story, Hugh!
Mine, neither, Colleen. But we humans need bugs to be able to survive, especially the pollinators.
That’s so true, Hugh. I thought about tending bees for awhile, but it was a hefty price to get started.
I would not be a fan of all those bees flying around me, Colleen. However, seeing bee hives is such a wonderful sight, and I hear the honey from them when they’re located near meadows is terrific tasting.
You’re so right, Hugh. It was a passing fancy. The bee hives are glorious.
I am so allergic to wasp and bee stings, but I do love insects – their variety (endless), colors, and industriousness. There are 200 million of them for each of us! I’ll leave them in peace!
I think that’s the best thing humans can do for insects – leave them in peace. But, sometimes, they can be annoying, especially wasps, when they won’t leave you alone.
Yup – those I swat.
Oh, I hope I never accidentally enter such a forest 😱 Although, it seems I live right next to one when I think of the flies at times 😂
Flies appear everywhere, don’t they? But it’s the wasps that get me. It does not matter where I go and sit; you can guarantee they find me.
Yes, when it comes to flies you are never lonely… Really? You must taste very sweet 😄