All C-ing Being’s Flash Fiction Corner #1
The Bug Catchers of Cordoba
Thunder cracked above. Dorian’s eyes darted toward the horrid chittering in the canopy. Fear crawled up his spine, his motionless black form buffeted by the rain of a Cordoban storm. His giant centipede, Noreen, wrapped around Dorian to shield his face, his eyes exposed.
He tensed as it flickered past, rising like a ghost into the moonlight.
It settled on a large leaf. A wingspan stretching two P90-fighters, beak of solid granite. The white whale, the Mamo-Moth of Cordoba.
His net of interwoven subatomic particles cast a green glow on the jungle floor. Wide-eyed, white-faced, Dorian’s burnt hands gripped it tight. He tasted adrenaline dancing across his tongue. Leaping from the undergrowth, he roared like a fire. The energy net burst into a flurry of prismatic hues and blinding lights, enveloping the behemoth.
Pollen, dust and blood flew around the jungle. It screeched and tore its maw across his crotch fabric. Noreen shook and tensed as Dorian hoisted them across its wings-
THUD!
Thousands of Netter starships orbit Cordoba, like ants flooding the nest bringing gifts for their queen.
Netters swarmed Outskirt Cafe. Dorian pushed through them with his prize. They murmured hushed words and pointed insults.
She was pouring steamed milk when he entered. Noreen cowered as she approached them. The Barista held Dorian’s hands. Blushing, he looked down — when he noticed a centipede tattoo wrapping her arm.
In a fluid motion, she unfurled the net, unleashing the beast to rain down its sleep pollen.
Dodging the giant wingspan, Dorian desperately looked behind him, realizing in the commotion, Noreen was gone. Anxiety weighed on his chest. Once for betrayal, once for Noreen, his heart split in two-
THUD!
He dreamed the Barista kidnapped a crying Noreen, and in his slumber, Dorian the Netter swore to get his bug back.
