Fantastic! But you can’t leave us hanging like this! What happens next? I love mantids, but they are creepy. So glad they don’t get to even a fraction this size!
Haha, the largest species is found in Malaysia .... almost 8 inches long. Not sure where to go with this story, hell I'm not even sure where it came from, let alone where is it going ;) Thanks for reading and putting up with the craziness, Liz. - Jim
I love this craziness! This is better than the giant insect movies I loved as a kid. Tarantula! Ants! Always with an exclamation point, lol. I had a praying mantis as a sort of pet as a kid. She wasn’t confined, but would always be waiting on the back porch each morning for her breakfast. Then off she’d go to commit a day’s worth of murder.
Murder indeed, haha...."The female praying mantis is known for cannibalistic mating behavior: biting off the head or legs of her mate and eating them." The Devil's own ;)
Great job of creating and maintaining suspense. I couldn't stop reading. I liked the inclusion of the dog. Perfect ending, too. Just enough info but not too much.
Aaagh, you couldn't have picked a more believable monster than a Praying Mantis. Those things have always creeped me out. Great story, Jim. Once I started, I couldn't stop.
That hand sticking out of the mantis' mouth, the whole scene with the couple being eaten, was disturbing in the best way. I also love the presence of the dogs and the reminder that animals have an amazing instinct for survival. I couldn't stop reading this one, Jim. I was invested in Nolan getting home for his birthday dinner.
Appreciate the generous words Jennifer. This genre is not exactly in my wheelhouse but I do enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone every once in a while....and nope, no fried chicken for Nolan, haha. - Jim
"In one quick move, the man was virtually scissored in half at the waist, with his hips and legs flopping down to the road." Euw, ick! I paused at this line and almost closed my laptop! ha ha ha. But, no, I am a fan so I read it. I loved the switching to Ms. Weller at the end, but I myself might had ended the story with this line "It took a deliberate step then turned its triangle head slowly in her direction..."
Absolutely not true. I read your stories every week and they are always sewn up to perfection - and most often with a clever, tweaky surprise. Yeeks. Far be it from me to offer Wilsky advice -- I should be so adept! ha ha ha!
Left field for sure, haha. It all stems from my life long creeped out fascination with those green bastards. I'm convinced they're the devil's making! I might have to finish this one but not entirely sure how to end it....Thanks for reading and commenting Thomas. - Jim
Well Thomas, normally, in most cases I'm a hardass...kiss my ass...type a guy. In fact, I was known in my younger days as a guy who liked to mix it up, BUT, I'm brutally honest with what troubles me. What spooks me. So, while reality and real situations doesn't really phase me, what my mind conjures up is a whole different story. Mate;) - Jim
Maybe you could just have her notice several hundred (or thousand?) mantids moving en-masse across her lawn? Well-written though, however you choose to wrap it up.
Fantastic! But you can’t leave us hanging like this! What happens next? I love mantids, but they are creepy. So glad they don’t get to even a fraction this size!
Haha, the largest species is found in Malaysia .... almost 8 inches long. Not sure where to go with this story, hell I'm not even sure where it came from, let alone where is it going ;) Thanks for reading and putting up with the craziness, Liz. - Jim
I love this craziness! This is better than the giant insect movies I loved as a kid. Tarantula! Ants! Always with an exclamation point, lol. I had a praying mantis as a sort of pet as a kid. She wasn’t confined, but would always be waiting on the back porch each morning for her breakfast. Then off she’d go to commit a day’s worth of murder.
Murder indeed, haha...."The female praying mantis is known for cannibalistic mating behavior: biting off the head or legs of her mate and eating them." The Devil's own ;)
Great job of creating and maintaining suspense. I couldn't stop reading. I liked the inclusion of the dog. Perfect ending, too. Just enough info but not too much.
Appreciate you reading and commenting - as always. It was a little 'out there' for me but a blast to write. - Jim
A joy to read.
I loved this one Jim, nice change of pace! Something a little different, yet still your classic style. Thanks for this read Jim!
Thanks Peter, appreciate it. Good to see you writing again - keep it up! - Jim
Aaagh, you couldn't have picked a more believable monster than a Praying Mantis. Those things have always creeped me out. Great story, Jim. Once I started, I couldn't stop.
Haha, they are the devil's making...the original alien. They're not right. Thanks for reading and commenting Jimbo. Appreciate you. - Jim
That hand sticking out of the mantis' mouth, the whole scene with the couple being eaten, was disturbing in the best way. I also love the presence of the dogs and the reminder that animals have an amazing instinct for survival. I couldn't stop reading this one, Jim. I was invested in Nolan getting home for his birthday dinner.
Appreciate the generous words Jennifer. This genre is not exactly in my wheelhouse but I do enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone every once in a while....and nope, no fried chicken for Nolan, haha. - Jim
"In one quick move, the man was virtually scissored in half at the waist, with his hips and legs flopping down to the road." Euw, ick! I paused at this line and almost closed my laptop! ha ha ha. But, no, I am a fan so I read it. I loved the switching to Ms. Weller at the end, but I myself might had ended the story with this line "It took a deliberate step then turned its triangle head slowly in her direction..."
Yes, but everybody already knows I'm bad with endings Sharron. Thanks for reading and the writing advice. - Jim
Absolutely not true. I read your stories every week and they are always sewn up to perfection - and most often with a clever, tweaky surprise. Yeeks. Far be it from me to offer Wilsky advice -- I should be so adept! ha ha ha!
A bit left of field for you, mate, but I loved it! Is there a conclusion?
Left field for sure, haha. It all stems from my life long creeped out fascination with those green bastards. I'm convinced they're the devil's making! I might have to finish this one but not entirely sure how to end it....Thanks for reading and commenting Thomas. - Jim
You exhibit a few childhood phobias, don't you? Praying mantises, flying monkeys, what's next? LOL.
Well Thomas, normally, in most cases I'm a hardass...kiss my ass...type a guy. In fact, I was known in my younger days as a guy who liked to mix it up, BUT, I'm brutally honest with what troubles me. What spooks me. So, while reality and real situations doesn't really phase me, what my mind conjures up is a whole different story. Mate;) - Jim
I reckon that's true of most folk. Thanks for sharing.
Maybe you could just have her notice several hundred (or thousand?) mantids moving en-masse across her lawn? Well-written though, however you choose to wrap it up.
Woohoo.... I devoured that one. Do you have more?
Maybe...haha. A follow-up? Just screwin' around:) Thanks for reading M.E.!
Those things have always, always creeped me out.