The Ladies of Horror
Picture-Prompt Writing Challenge!

Shadowpede
by Kim Richards

Amongt the cold, damp darkness, Shadowpede emerged, skittering across the dirt in search of blood. It didn’t take long to find the hand. It’s tiny mind had no notion it was severed from a larger body. It only knew the blooded flesh before it.

This was something it could feed on for days. Ever so slowly it circled its discovery. Pausing to lick here and there, it searched for the best spot to feast. Upon finding one, it began devouring juicy mouthfuls.

So engrossed in its delightful morsels, it didn’t notice the approach of a Big. The huge being stopped before Shadowpede and its hand meal, towering overhead a moment.

In a swift movement, the Big lifted its booted leg and stomped hard on Shadowpede. Instant pain filled the insect’s body before death took its place.

“There you are.”

The Big reached down and picked up the hand. He turned and stomped on down the sewer tunnel, disappearing into the darkness.