by Katlina Sommerberg
In the branches of a lonely redwood tree, hidden amongst the flowering cones, Bitsy’s web quakes from an impact.
Hanging by a thread, the orb-weaver calculates her prey’s location from its vibrations. Her web shakes violently; this is no ordinary catch, yet the sticky lines hold.
The prey’s exoskeleton glimmers like an iridescent dragonfly. Its body is one section — missing the thorax — with four circular wings composed of blades.
When the vibrations stop, Bitsy’s palps reach for the not-insect’s shell.
Its bladed wings buzz to life and sever structural threads.
Bitsy jumps, lands on fallen needles upon the forest floor. She abandons her web to the microdrone.
* * *
About the Author
Katlina Sommerberg is living xyr best queer life in a menagerie of stuffed animals. Previously a security researcher, xe burned out and quit. So far, xe hasn’t followed xyr grandfather’s footsteps by disappearing into the mountains, but xe is always tempted. Xyr work has previously appeared in Zooscape, DecodedPride, and other places. https://sommerbergssf.