The story of a jackknifed insecticide truck was followed by a subdued remark about the disappearances. Replacing the gas cap, the attendant gestured toward the half dozen dusty cars parked behind the galvanized chain link fence. Scenting synchronicity in a potential environmental catastrophe and his arrival, Solomon scanned the neighboring lot in the rearview mirror before probing for details. Following his intuitive sensitivity for connecting disparate subjects, this lead contained critical elements of journalistic success. Toxic compounds fed public fear, fatal crashes snared national newsfeeds and the tabloids loved a mystery.
Over a friendly beer, the state agricultural lab employee told him about anomalous oversized cavities found in the long bones of deceased local livestock. The formation of such elongated nucleate cells called lacuna was inexplicable. Solomon opened the car and stepped into the afternoon heat, caught a taste of the lingering chemical miasma. Alongside the scorched asphalt a thick gash split the soft flesh of the earth. Nudging the wet putrescent mass, he was unprepared for the gigantic grotesquely barbed insectile claw stabbing out of the monstrous oscitation and clamping around his ankle.
He didn’t scream until antenna crested raw dirt and the glittering black gaze fell on him.
My entry is #36.
Campaign Challenge #2 Rules:
No more than 200 words in length.
Must include imago in the title.
Must include these words: miasma, lacuna, oscitate and synchronicity.
May also reference mirror.
No more than 200 words in length.
Must include imago in the title.
Must include these words: miasma, lacuna, oscitate and synchronicity.
May also reference mirror.
Lesann Berry 
#1 by Sonia Lal on September 22, 2011 - 9:36 pm
I like the idea of an insecticide truck!(I am number 38)
#2 by David Powers King on September 22, 2011 - 11:10 pm
Yikes! Too bad for Solomon. Your story has a copious amount of large words. And they word. At least I understand what you're saying.Great job, Lesann! 🙂
#3 by elizabethanne on September 22, 2011 - 11:28 pm
Oh, I'm so glad someone used the *other* meaning of imago! It takes everything in a totally difference direction. Excellent!
#4 by Ruth Hartman Berge on September 23, 2011 - 1:04 am
Just the type of story I love! Great job and I'd love to hear more!!
#5 by Sheri L. Swift on September 23, 2011 - 1:08 am
Gives me the creeps! Lol! Very good! ; )
#6 by Jen on September 23, 2011 - 1:12 am
Okaaay…that was creepy and now I'm scared to go outside. Great job though! The cattle with the hollow bones is very unsettling. Great, creepy job! Mine is #3.
#7 by bridgetstraub.com on September 23, 2011 - 3:30 am
Creepy. Well done. Mine is #29
#8 by LadyJai on September 23, 2011 - 5:11 pm
ewwww, creepy crawlies!
#9 by Nadja Notariani on September 23, 2011 - 5:23 pm
Great story line. You worked the challenge words seamlessly into your narrative – using rich & hearty vocabulary all throughout the piece. And I loved that you used the little known medical term associated with the word lacuna! Well done. ~ Nadja
#10 by F.E. Sewell on September 23, 2011 - 7:07 pm
Awesome and so creepy! You're writing really drew me into the story. Excellent job!
#11 by Lady Gwen on September 23, 2011 - 8:39 pm
Oooh, creepy! Very nice job:) I like your take on the challenge. I'm #34 and a new follower:)
#12 by Michael Haynes on September 23, 2011 - 11:05 pm
I like it — good work with using the words and creating an interesting story.If you'd like to check my entry out, it's #42.
#13 by Angelina C. Hansen on September 24, 2011 - 1:19 am
Very cool. I loved it! So unique and so immediate.
#14 by Lesann Berry on September 24, 2011 - 4:15 am
Wow everybody! Thanks for such encouraging feedback. I find this microfiction stuff really difficult – not enough room to get everything in…Thanks!
#15 by Medeia Sharif on September 24, 2011 - 12:26 pm
I now have a creepy-crawly feeling. Great job, Lesann.Have a wonderful weekend.
#16 by Cortney on September 24, 2011 - 2:33 pm
I'm with Medeia, I have a creepy-crawly feeling too! Loved the claw at the end.
#17 by Dawn M. Hamsher on September 24, 2011 - 6:46 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed your entry. I loved how you worded Solomon's detective skills. It felt like I was watching this on TV. Very well done.The Write SoilMine is #50.
#18 by Barbara McDowell on September 25, 2011 - 1:30 am
Whew! Love the twisted ending. You had me seeing and feeling the insect's grasp. Eww. Great job!
#19 by Christine Rains on September 26, 2011 - 1:09 am
That was very well written. It's hard to make those words feel natural in such a short piece, but you did it. I love the whole set up and ending. I cringed!
#20 by Zan Marie on September 26, 2011 - 12:23 pm
Oh, that's good! Insecticide truck! What a truly imaginative way to do this challenge. ; )
#21 by raelynbarclay on September 28, 2011 - 9:49 pm
Bugs :shudder: Great take on the challenge. Very well done!
#22 by Kurt Hartwig on September 29, 2011 - 12:27 am
I didn't see that coming at all. Great shift from description to sudden action.
#23 by Kerri Cuev on October 2, 2011 - 3:48 am
Nicely done!
#24 by Lesann Berry on October 2, 2011 - 8:00 pm
Thanks for all the creepy-crawly encouragement, lovely people!
#25 by AveryMarsh on October 4, 2011 - 9:17 pm
I love the way you described the bug coming out of the ground. It gave me the shivers. Well done.
#26 by the wild magnolia on October 4, 2011 - 11:07 pm
This…is…scary! Way scary. Great usage of words and smooth as silk writing.Good job.#188
#27 by Karen deBlieck on October 6, 2011 - 1:45 am
Very nicely done if not a little disturbing…lol. Your managed to get those words in really well.#189
#28 by Fairview on October 6, 2011 - 8:51 pm
Oh good work. I keep scratching my leg feeling things crawling.
#29 by Jocelyn Rish on October 7, 2011 - 10:37 pm
Ooooh, that gave me the heebie jeebies – and that's a good thing!