Week 1 of JuneBug: Native Fauna
The Coliika Swarm
300 Words
She froze as she heard the sound she feared most. Her companions stopped as well, Koza drawing his wand. Idiot. The elves were almost out of the woods. Any magic let off now would reveal them.
The buzzing increased. She motioned them forward and the elves carried on. Her eyes scanned all patches of ground, but she could not pinpoint its location. She prayed for luck.
As they topped a ridge an incessant clicking assaulted their ears and they abandoned stealth for survival. The entire group raced for the river. All they had to do was reach the boat.
The clicking surrounded them and the ground began to shake as the beetle-like creatures emerged from below. A thin clawed hand snatched at her as she ran past. The elves ran faster as the scent of the riverbed came closer.
She heard a scream, quickly drowned out by the damned sound of the Coliika. While small the sheer number of them threatened to engulf them. She kept her eyes forward and focused. The boat, it was their only hope.
One of the others let out a hysterical laugh ahead. When she caught up she saw the boat was in pieces. Her stomach dropped as the Coliika sprung up around her. Before she could scream, the things set off at speed towards a series of bangs. She raised her gaze to Koza, atop the hill, firing off the wand. The Coliika followed his spectacle. He yelled at them to leave before disappearing into the woods, bursts of magic trailing behind him.
She was unsure how they made it out. She watched the spot Koza had stood on before the others led her away. They were told they were lucky, the Koza was a hero. Koza was her friend, and now he’s gone.
C.M. Wellsmore 