Monarchs
By
Thomas J. Misuraca
The world was covered in Monarch Chrysalises. Every tree, every plant, every bush. Usually, the cocoons got lost within the vegetation, but now they hung like ornaments from an over-decorated Christmas tree.
Many of the trees were chewed bare by the millions of caterpillars that were born that summer. It was the biggest infestation in years. Some said it had to do with climate change. Others called it an act of God. Part of his plan to make the world more beautiful.
Between that and the animal rights groups, these creatures were protected from extermination. Besides, they’d only be caterpillars for a couple of weeks. We all watched in fascination as they spun their cocoons. The internet was flooded with fast motion videos of this amazing natural phenomenon. The city blossomed with chrysalises.
Within days, pupa’s populated the city. Millions of metamorphoses happening simultaneously. To hatch in about a week’s time and fill the city with new residents. Like the one million butterfly migration in Los Angeles of 2019. People recalled how that was like a freeway of fluttering.
I was skeptical. It seemed odd that there were so many. I worried they’d complete their devastation of the trees. Or end up splattered on windshields. Or sucked into air-conditioning vents.
The world waited for the metamorphoses. Crowds flocked to parks and tree-lined streets to await the birth of beauty.
The crowds and the internet erupted when the first cocoons were seen to crack. A curled up created emerged. Beautiful orange wings with black trim spread. And took flight.
#
Then the butterflies attacked.
From the trees and bushes, they dive bombed us viewers. At first, we thought this was part of nature’s cycle.
Until they began gnawing at our flesh.
We didn’t have time to question the how as their mutated fangs tore at our flesh.
It was like a Godzilla movie. People ran through the streets in terror. But the winged creatures swarmed around them. Dove down from the sky at all angles.
We barricaded ourselves in our homes. But those vents I feared would be the death of them, turned out to be the death of many of us.
We bid farewell to our loved ones. Made calls and texts to those far away. Some of us posted videos and warnings on the internet. Still confused by what was happening.
Corpses filled the streets. Devoured to the bone by these colorful creatures. Blood dripping from their wings.
If you tried to make a run for it, they’d swarm you. I swear there was nothing left of those who were lost in a whirlwind of monarch wings.
The rest of the world watched in disbelief. Any signs of caterpillars near them were exterminated.
But it was too late. Here there was an army of flying monsters. And they were multiplying.
Evolved into killing machines with one goal.
To wipe us off the planet.
Tom Misuraca studied Writing at Emerson College in his hometown of Boston before moving to Los Angeles. Over 160 of his short stories and two novels have been published. His story, Giving Up The Ghosts, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. He is also a multi-award winning playwright. For more information, please visit: www.tommiz.com.
By
Thomas J. Misuraca
The world was covered in Monarch Chrysalises. Every tree, every plant, every bush. Usually, the cocoons got lost within the vegetation, but now they hung like ornaments from an over-decorated Christmas tree.
Many of the trees were chewed bare by the millions of caterpillars that were born that summer. It was the biggest infestation in years. Some said it had to do with climate change. Others called it an act of God. Part of his plan to make the world more beautiful.
Between that and the animal rights groups, these creatures were protected from extermination. Besides, they’d only be caterpillars for a couple of weeks. We all watched in fascination as they spun their cocoons. The internet was flooded with fast motion videos of this amazing natural phenomenon. The city blossomed with chrysalises.
Within days, pupa’s populated the city. Millions of metamorphoses happening simultaneously. To hatch in about a week’s time and fill the city with new residents. Like the one million butterfly migration in Los Angeles of 2019. People recalled how that was like a freeway of fluttering.
I was skeptical. It seemed odd that there were so many. I worried they’d complete their devastation of the trees. Or end up splattered on windshields. Or sucked into air-conditioning vents.
The world waited for the metamorphoses. Crowds flocked to parks and tree-lined streets to await the birth of beauty.
The crowds and the internet erupted when the first cocoons were seen to crack. A curled up created emerged. Beautiful orange wings with black trim spread. And took flight.
#
Then the butterflies attacked.
From the trees and bushes, they dive bombed us viewers. At first, we thought this was part of nature’s cycle.
Until they began gnawing at our flesh.
We didn’t have time to question the how as their mutated fangs tore at our flesh.
It was like a Godzilla movie. People ran through the streets in terror. But the winged creatures swarmed around them. Dove down from the sky at all angles.
We barricaded ourselves in our homes. But those vents I feared would be the death of them, turned out to be the death of many of us.
We bid farewell to our loved ones. Made calls and texts to those far away. Some of us posted videos and warnings on the internet. Still confused by what was happening.
Corpses filled the streets. Devoured to the bone by these colorful creatures. Blood dripping from their wings.
If you tried to make a run for it, they’d swarm you. I swear there was nothing left of those who were lost in a whirlwind of monarch wings.
The rest of the world watched in disbelief. Any signs of caterpillars near them were exterminated.
But it was too late. Here there was an army of flying monsters. And they were multiplying.
Evolved into killing machines with one goal.
To wipe us off the planet.
Tom Misuraca studied Writing at Emerson College in his hometown of Boston before moving to Los Angeles. Over 160 of his short stories and two novels have been published. His story, Giving Up The Ghosts, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. He is also a multi-award winning playwright. For more information, please visit: www.tommiz.com.