Chrysalis

A cold wind blew. It cut through the empty street, and through the lone figure who staggered through the chill, a package tucked under one arm. The small person pulled a tattered coat tighter around their slight frame as they looked around, seeking something that they soon found.

A familiar sight, a familiar door, though it had looked different in years passed.

Back then, a family had lived here, some of the time. The Father, frequently away, the Mother distant and cold, like a winter wind. Less like a home, more of a hotel, with its comings and goings. It lacked the warmth of welcome, the comfort one sensed from a door with someone waiting behind it. There was almost never anyone behind it.

The boy though, he was always there, even when the others weren't.

It wasn't so bad, he often thought to himself. People led busy lives, there often wasn't enough energy left to tend to those around them. Many lived in worse conditions, much worse. Besides, what was the use in complaining?

Especially when you've got a job to do.

He walked over to the house and leaned into the gate, forcing it to swing open with a creak. Sounded like it was getting rusty. Likely it was. He'd tend to it tomorrow maybe, or the day after. He needed a good sleep before anything else.

Well, he needed a meal, but he tried not to think about that.

A key was removed from a pocket and with a metallic clack it turned in the lock. The door opened to a dark corridor. As he always did, the boy leaned forward to check for any mail. It had been some time since he'd received a letter from his parents. Perhaps it was a little ungrateful of him, but he didn't even need a letter at this point, a little money would be more than welcome.

been some time since he'd

nothing, as ever lately. With a quiet shrug, the boy stepped inside the house and closed the door behind him, ensuring the lock was turned afterwards. He wouldn't make that mistake again. His legs still ached when it was

moly," he

surroundings remained dark. At least something had been learned. The number of 'final warnings' that one

all the notice that could be reasonably expected. The lack of cooling in the fridge wouldn't

cold, that was one thing, but his sisters would really

Speaking of.

'Hup!'

up the stairs. Each step was more of a struggle than usual, and it became

be caught napping

boy pumped his fist in triumph. Then he staggered as the strength left his knees. But he righted himself!

been easier to house the girls on the ground floor. However, only in this room, upstairs, was there a window that got the right light. The price was worth

around something squishy and wet, he made his way to the room at the end of the hall. Unfortunately he didn't

"Dammit!" he yelped.

a tired, but bright smile spread across his face. On the table, the girls, his sisters, were hard at work. The scouts and foragers were busy, despite the dropping temperature, they

hastily unwrapped the package. A steak, the last food he could afford, even then he'd needed a discount from Mr Balney, the local butcher. It wasn't much, but the protein would keep the family going for

He lay it down in a corner where none of his sisters would be crushed and watched with delight as they quickly swarmed to

tapped against the meat, scouts testing and assessing before they attacked with hunger. Mandibles pinched away tiny segments of meat that the workers then devoured. With food safely