Mythical Drabbles: ‘To Catch a Cryptid’ by John H. Dromey

We’re back this week with more Mythical Drabbles! Enjoy this one from regular Insignia Stories contributor, John H. Dromey.

To Catch a Cryptid

John H. Dromey

A car salesman eyed his bookish, bespectacled customer with skepticism. “Dune buggies?”

“Yes. I’m Professor Chinbatiin. I’m planning a cryptozoological fishing trip to the Gobi Desert.”

“Hold on! You need water for fishing, don’t you?”

“Not if we cast our lines into mirages. Who knows what legendary creatures we may catch? One problem, though.” The potential buyer opened a suitcase to reveal a couple of anchor-sized fishhooks. “We can’t find anyone willing to dig for bait and put it on the hooks.”

“Those hooks are enormous. What are you planning to use for bait?”

“Olgoi-khorkhoi, of course. Mongolian death worms.”

John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri, USA. He enjoys reading—mysteries in particular—and writing in a variety of genres. His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly Magazine, Stupefying Stories Showcase, Thriller Magazine, Unfit Magazine, and elsewhere.

Work Published with INSIGNIA STORIES

Japanese Fantasy Drabbles (Insignia Drabbles Vol.1.)

Southeast Asian Fantasy Drabbles (Insignia Drabbles Vol.2.)

Mythical Creatures of Asia (Insignia Drabbles Vol.3.)

‘Dream Sequence’, Castles & Kimono (Insignia Series Vol.8)

POETRY

Horror Matsuri #3 / Instincts (poetry) #11: ‘Spooky Yuki-onna’ by John H. Dromey

Horror Matsuri #9 / Instincts (poetry) #14: ‘A Yōkai’s Haiku Halloween abroad’ by John H. Dromey

#16 ‘Casting Call for a Method Actor’ by John H. Dromey (December 17th, 2020)

#17 ‘Hot Pursuit Goes Underground, Hostage Unharmed’ by John H. Dromey (January 14th, 2021)