Parasitize

One of Nature's Own Monsters

Happy First Day of Spring!

This original horror flash fiction piece is about the terror of transformation inspired by a real life monster found in nature - the Tachinid Fly! The story is part of the Spring Fever horror writing event hosted by Garen Marie and the TiF Team.

THE THEME : Horror in bloom. Buds bursting, new life waiting to shiver up from the soil.

When my children were young, we were obsessed with butterflies, still are, really. During our early insect adventures, we witnessed a particularly gnarly parasite annihilate a Monarch chrysalis. We were forever changed by this brutal infestation. I hope this bit of fiction does the terrible, tachinid fly justice.

If you get grossed out easily, this one is not for you.

Parasitize

Opposing mandibles masticate matter, toothed jaws crunching cellulose, grinding and pulping plant flesh. This voracious chomping strips …