Bug Island

by R. G. Cordiner

  "Problem is," said Henry slowly taking off the flame thrower, "this no longer works, neither does your shotgun, and who knows how long Tracy's flame thrower will hold out. After that we only have the knives."

  "Also, if we stay here other bugs are sure to come at the scent of these dead ones," Mary pointed out. "Are we sure we want to keep up with this bug hunt still?"

  "Mary's right," Zosimo winced as he stood up, clutching his side, "perhaps we should head back to my place to rest and regroup. It's ridiculous to stay out here now."

  He turned and slowly started off deeper into the forest.

  "Well, that's that then I guess," Henry said.

  ...

  Fiona clenched the knife and leaned back into the tree trunk.

  The giant centipede opened its pincers and then suddenly rushed forward.

  Fiona dropped to the ground and twisted as she fell.

  The centipede realised that the girl had moved and quickly readjusted mid air and swooped down.

  Unfortunately its speed meant that it also collided with the tree.

  Fiona was now facing upwards and she thrust the knife at the giant centipede's soft underbelly.

  SHPPLT

  The knife found its target and Fiona hit the ground with a thump and quickly rolled out to the side.

  The centipede's pincers scraped down the tree trunk, spraying bark out like a fountain.

  It landed on the ground with a thud.

  Fiona shook herself and stood up gradually, her eyes never leaving the giant bug.

  It started to move.

  Slowly the giant centipede rose up, yellow and green fluid dripping out from its wound, until the six metre long creature was back on its feet.

  It staggered as it tried to walk towards her.

  ...

  Zosimo staggered and stumbled.

  Henry rushed to his side.

  "It's ok. I'm just a little light headed," Zosimo tried to wave him away.

  "Put your arm around me," Henry insisted.

  "I'm fine," Zosimo pushed him back, "we're almost there."

  The group saw a tiny clearing in the distance.

  "See, there it is," Zosimo pointed. He winced and grabbed his side.

  "Here let me look," insisted Mary.

  Zosimo tried to push her away but he missed, staggered and fell.

  Mary knelt down and pulled away the makeshift bandage.

  The wound was bright red and pulsing.

  She touched it and then winced and jerked her hand back.

  It was hot to the touch.

  Zosimo was sweating profusely.

  "It must be some sort of poison from the bug," she suggested.

  "Let's get him to his house," insisted Tracy. Her arms were aching with the weight of the flame thrower but she refused to give it to Henry. It had become like a metal security blanket to her now. She felt safer having a weapon.

  Henry and Mary got on either side of Zosimo and helped him to stumble towards the clearing. His feet started to drag in the fog around their ankles as his eyes glazed over.

  Tracy led the way and then she stopped when they got to the edge of the clearing.

  The large hollow tree in the middle was not what had caught her eye though.

  It wasn't the interwoven palm 'gate' that Zosimo had created.

  Nor was it actually the two large peanut bugs hanging from its branches.

  In fact the four large cocoons that were also dangling from the tree had not shocked her.

  What really had caught her attention though were the twenty two pond skaters that were clambering all over the tree.

  ...

  Fiona watched the stricken giant centipede as it edged closer to her, fluid dripping out of it into the fog at their feet.

  Its pincers snapped as it staggered forward. She stepped back.

  The giant centipede stopped and fell to the side.

  Fiona sighed with relief.

  She waited a little while as the creature's legs twitched. She could see the knife still protruding from it. Fiona edged closer.

  She reached out her shaking hand towards the knife.

  She gripped the handle and tried to pull it out.

  It was stuck.

  She gripped it with both hands and tugged as hard as she could.

  SHLLP

  Fiona flew backwards as the knife finally gave way.

  She stayed lying in fog. She slowly wiped the slime off her face.

  Then she started to shake as she burst into tears.

  BOOMPH

  She sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand.

  BOOMPH

  She lay down on her stomach under the fog.

  The peanut bug landed on the tree above the dead centipede.

  Fiona forced herself to remain still.

  She watched curiously as the giant moth like bug started spitting something onto the branch. It came out in long sticky strands. Soon it started to form a shape.

  It was a cocoon.

  Chapter 15

  Final Sacrifice

  "Zosimo," Sarah whispered. "Zosimo, wake up."

  Zosimo groaned.

  "Shh," Mary covered his mouth.

  His eyes lolled back in his head as he mumbled, "Wassit? Wassup??"

  "Where is the other entrance?" Henry asked.

  "Wassat?" Zosimo mumbled, sweat drenching his face.

  "The other entrance - you know, where we came out of," Henry insisted.

  "There's no point, he's feverish. He's barely conscious," Mary looked at Zosimo more closely.

  "How do we get him to snap out of it?" Tracy asked, casting nervous glances into the clearing where the bugs were swarming over their destination.

  Sarah stood, deep in thought and then, as if reaching a decision she walked over to Zosimo...

  ... and stomped on his foot.

  "YOW!" he cried out, eyes suddenly popping back into focus.

  The pond skaters paused.

  "What did you..." Zosimo started.

  "Zosimo, we are stuck," Henry pointed over at the bugs on the old tree, "how do we get in there."

  Zosimo looked at them all and then at the bugs.

  "You can't," he replied, " but I have a better idea."

  Zosimo reached out his hand to Tracy.

  "Give me the backpack," he insisted.

  "But..." she began.

  He started to take it off her but was too weak.

  Reluctantly Tracy began to remove it.

  Some of the water striders started to scuttle down the tree.

  "What are you planning to do?" she asked.

  "Put it on me," Zosimo insisted, "quickly. I'm starting to feel dishy again."

  He swayed.

  Henry helped him put the backpack on.

  Zosimo grimaced, "It's time to say hello."

  He staggered into the clearing before anyone could stop him.

  Sarah started to move but Tracy grabbed her.

  "Bu.." Sarah started to argue.

  "Shh," Tracy put her fingers to her lips, "There's nothing we can do against that many."

  They watched horrified as Zosimo swayed as he entered the clearing, the fog swirling around his waist. The peanut bugs high up in the branches continued to work on a new cocoon. The water striders had all stopped and started to dash down the tree. Some were already moving through the small clearing towards Zosimo.

  He staggered as he moved forward, the nozzle in his hand. He was clearly struggling under the mass of the backpack.

  He was almost near the tree now.

  Three skaters leapt at him.

  He stood there as they scrambled over him. Zosimo winced as one stabbed him in the leg.

  His companions stood horrified on the edge of the clearing.

  More skaters leapt at him.

  Delirious with pain he yelled out, "Hello buggies!"

  Zosimo turned the nozzle around and pointed it at the backpack. He pressed the trigger.

  The po
nd skaters leapt.

  ...

  Fiona watched fascinated as the peanut bug slowly and meticulously made the cocoon. It was hollow and cigar like in shape and was nearing completion. She lay still under the fog, hoping that it would provide her with sufficient cover. She scanned around and then froze as she noticed three harvestmen striding through the forest.

  They came closer...

  ... and closer....

  ... and then one stopped above her.

  ...

  PEROOSH

  The jet of flame flew out and hit the backpack...

  KRRRBOOSH

  ... there was a massive blinding explosion which knocked his friends to their feet.

  Silence.

  There were groans as the four survivors slowly got to their feet and looked out into the clearing.

  The tree had been obliterated and all that remained was a jagged stump. Brown and green slimy fluid dripped off nearby trees. The fog obscured the ground, but the occasional smouldering wing or skater leg could be seen poking out. A few nearby trees were burning quietly.

  The four survivors looked at each other.

  "Let's get going," suggested Henry, "there's nothing here for us now. Let's not waste Zosimo's sacrifice. He's bought us some time."

  The others quietly grabbed their things and reluctantly walked away.

  Sarah walked at the back of the line, tears streaming down her face.

  ...

  Fiona heard the enormous explosion but the harvestman standing above her was a more immediate problem.

  Its long stalks swivelled towards the sound of the destruction and then back to the peanut bug.

  The other two harvestmen stopped and then started off towards the sound.

  The remaining bug paused and then strode off into the forest.

  Fiona started breathing again.

  She waited a short while and then crawled on her hands and knees away from the peanut bug.

  When she felt she was a safe distance away she stood up and started walking after the harvestmen.

  Fiona didn't particularly want to be following them, but she knew that the explosion meant that other humans were around.

  She hoped there were still some left alive.

  ...

  Mary leaned against the tree trunk.

  "C'mon Mary," Henry cried, "we've got to keep going."

  She looked at him with exhausted eyes, "What's the point. I'm too old. I'm ..."

  She paused and pointed.

  "Harvestmen!" she cried as three of the bugs came racing towards them.

  They all ducked down into the fog.

  The creatures came closer.

  Mary reached over to Sarah and motioned for her knife.

  The young girl passed it over to her.

  Mary stood up, knife in hand.

  Sarah started to move but Tracy pulled her back down.

  Henry froze, unsure of what to do.

  The three harvestmen closed in on Mary.

  She started walking towards them.

  "This is for my grandson!" she cried as the three dropped down.

  The old woman slashed out at the first harvestman's leg, chopping it off. The harvestman teetered and fell into the second, knocking it off balance.

  The third dropped down and grabbed Mary.

  It quickly stood up, holding her limp body and scuttled off, back the way it came.

  The second harvestman quickly righted itself and followed behind.

  The legless creature that remained continued to flail on the ground.

  "Mary!" Sarah cried out and wrested herself from her mother's grasp and started chasing after the harvestmen.

  "Sarah!" Tracy screamed and sprinted after her daughter with Henry closely following behind.

  ...

  Fiona pressed herself against the tree trunk as she saw the two harvestmen dash past her. She frowned as she noticed the body in the harvestman's clutches.

  She squinted to see more clearly and then she gasped.

  It was Mary.

  Fiona was torn as she watched the harvestman walk on through the fog. Should she go towards the explosion or try and help Mary.

  Her answer came more quickly than she expected when she saw Sarah sprinting in the distance.

  "Sarah!" she cried.

  ...

  Sarah didn't know why she chased after the giant bug. She just did. However she was shocked to hear a different voice calling her name.

  She stopped. "Fiona?"

  Sarah saw Fiona off to one side and ran over to her.

  Soon Tracy and Henry caught up and they all hugged Fiona.

  "Was that..?" she asked.

  "Yes, they've got Mary," Sarah replied. "C'mon," she beckoned.

  ...

  Shortly, the four of them reached the large clearing and they slowed down as they saw the large cave.

  They crouched down into the fog.

  Five harvestmen were on one side of the clearing near some trees. Hanging from the branches were eight cocoons, some of which were empty. There were four bodies lying on the ground. They gasped as they recognised Mary.

  They looked across and could see on the other side, at the edge of the cave, four giant centipedes were also holding bodies. The survivors crawled into the weaving grass, under cover of the fog, to get a closer look.

  They could see more cocoons inside the cave.

  The four watched on horrified as the harvestmen and the centipedes began to slowly pick up each body and place it into the cocoons.

  The creatures slowly started sealing the cocoons.

  Henry looked over at one of the cocoons that a giant centipede was crawling towards.

  He could see the person inside it.

  It was Melanie.

  He clutched the locket and started to move.

  Tracy grabbed him.

  "What do you think you are doing?" she whispered.

  Tears streamed down Henry's face.

  "It's Melanie," he pointed.

  "There's nothing you can do for her now," Tracy argued, "you've seen what happened to everyone. The bugs must scratch them or something and then cocoon them."

  Sarah gasped, "You mean all of those people are going to become bugs? Does that mean that all of these bugs were once ... people?"

  Tracy grimaced, "Yes dear. It seems that way." She turned to Henry, "You saw what was happening to Zosimo, to that wound."

  "But what if she could still be ok?" he asked pleadingly.

  "Look at her, just look!"

  He reluctantly stared at her and he noticed the large red pulsing welt on her neck. Henry turned and looked at Mary and noticed that she too had a mark on her leg. All of the bodies had marks.

  He turned back to Tracy.

  "I guess you're right," he sighed.

  They continued to watch as the nearest harvestman sealed up one of the cocoons. It then turned and started walking towards them.

  The four survivors huddled closer together.

  It was almost upon them when it slowed down, swayed and then collapsed in front of them.

  "AAGH!" Fiona screamed.

  The dead harvestmen lay still.

  The other creatures stopped their work on the cocoons at the sound and looked across the clearing.

  Henry glanced at Tracy, Fiona and Sarah.

  "I know what I want to do," he said, "I want to be with Melanie, no matter what."

  A centipede skittered down from the edge of the cave and started to make its way into the clearing.

  Henry stood up and walked towards it, arms outstretched.

  "Take me," he cried to the bug.

  He looked up at Melanie and smiled.

  The centipede dashed over and grabbed him, its pincer quickly injecting the venom that would soon start the process of metamorphosis. Henry collapsed and the centipede gently picked him up and carried him over to the cave entrance.

  The other bugs turned and resumed work on the cocoons.

  The girls
huddled into Tracy.

  The fog was rushing out of the cave.

  They watched as the bugs slowly completed the cocoons and then one by one, each bug staggered and then collapsed on the ground.

  Soon the fog was a thick blanket and there were no noises in the clearing save the breathing of the three survivors.

  EPILOGUE

  Three weeks had passed since Henry's sacrifice and the death of the last of the bugs. Tracy, Fiona and Sarah had begun to create some sense of order and routine in their new foggy lives. They had soon discovered the other entrance to Zosimo's now destroyed home but, even though the main tree was no longer, the small tree trunk served its purpose. They had buried the remaining bodies from the beach, and had even managed to work out how to light a fire, using rocks and coconut husks. The girls had begun to get used to the fog and were not frightened anymore about the prospect of living on the island. They were reassured that, from what Zosimo had once said, it was probably about twenty years until the next outbreak of bugs.

  What they didn't know was that Zosimo was wrong. The bugs did not come out every twenty years. They came out whenever a large food source was nearby.

  The island known as La'ba Pet-ne to the last of the Ancient Mayans, stopped slowly drifting through the ocean.

  Deep in the cave in the middle of the island, the fog started to slowly recede.

  Out in the distance, past the fog, lay ...

  ... the coast of South America.

  The cocoons twitched.

  Giant shapes wriggled inside.

  SHHCCRRT

  THE END

  The Bugs of Bug Island

  Bee Assassin Bug

  Actual Size: 2.5 - 3cm

  Island size: 50 – 60cm

  Lives: on flowers

  Eats: bees & nectar feeding insects

  Features:

  Makes a chirping sound

  Can spit saliva 18m (90cm) and 16 spits per second

  Tiny claws on feet

  Eyes can see all directions

  Front pair of legs holds victim

  Peanut Bug

  Actual size: up to 16cm (wings up to 30cm)