Time Flies

By DeRicki Johnson

Billions died from the virus. Billions more died from civilization’s collapse and attendant disease, starvation, war. Fewer than 100,000,000 people were left on planet Earth. Them, and a trillion flies.

These flies were different. Big, stinging horseflies had gorged on the dead and grown in numbers and size and deadliness. These flies had teeth. They hunted in swarms, millions strong; eating everything in their path.

Swarms were called “shredders.”

This shredder had descended upon the farm a couple of weeks ago. That is why the man was pulling on his protective hoodie and mask. The cows needed milking.

He hated flies.