The chamber buzzed with activity. Damp air clung to Adam's shell, as he scurried around the colony. Grabbing those same bland mushrooms, the empty taste enveloping his tongue, ever since he got here. And through that rotten repeating routine of tasting the same thing over and over again, rose an unsatiable hunger, given spark by hope. An idea. Adam couldn't let his mind pass over such an opportunity. His mind raced over the thought, the possibility of a rich, warm and indulging feast.
And so, he prepared, grabbing what he swears will be the last batch of mushrooms he will ever eat. Adam hurriedly made his way to the exit, unable to hold his curiosity much longer. Suddenly, an ant blocked his path. Mira. "Look Mister Giant! I made this for you!"
A messy blend of crushed mushrooms. It was slimy and green. Adam couldn't help but feel uneasy laying his eyes upon the "food" presented in front of him. But Mira's eyes shimmered with hope.
Adam stared at it for a while, wondering if he'll be forced to take a bite. "You made this just for me?"
She nodded proudly.
He forced a simile. "It looks incredibly delicious!"
He took a bite. The texture was spongy, like chewing on wet moss, and the taste was so bland, that even his mandibles twitched uncontrollably. Still, he kept going, gulping down the mush until his stomach twisted in quiet rebellion.
"Good, right?" Mira asked, almost wagging her antennae in excitement.
Adam nodded, eyes twitching. "Besh thing I've… ever tashted," he mumbled through a messy chew.
She looked so proud, he nearly regretted lying.
Nearly.
"Don't worry, Mister Giant. Next time, I'll make a whole feast out of it!"
"Noooooooo." Adam's thought screamed. "I need to put a stop to this madness." Adam imagined being surrounded by the little ants, all happily munching on the mushrooms as he stared into nothingness, devoid of all flavors, slowly consuming the slime being presented in front of him by Mira. "No." He thought. "I won't go down like this!"
He made his way forward, with each step, he felt he grew closer to freedom, an escape from this nightmare. Suddenly his path was blocked again. The boys: Zell, Norkk, Brill and Skitt, all jumped simultaneously, enclosing Adam from all sides. Zell asked, "Mister Giant. Where are you going?" Before Adam could reply, Brill added. "Will you take us with you?" gleaming with hope, as he used the sweetest voice he could. Even Skitt looked determined, his little eyes glinting with quiet resolve.
Norkk made a point, "If we go, it will be great for our training, practicing with holograms will be meaningless if we don't gain real battle experience." He was right, and Adam knew that, yet, he also knew the danger of the unknown, encountering a being you have no idea of. He had already experienced it firsthand, luckily, he had escaped, but he doubts the outcome would've been the same if Norkk was there, or even if anyone of the colony was there. Adam would've given his life away to save them.
"It's too dangerous out there. I don't think I'd have peace of mind or fight properly, if I'm constantly worrying about your safety," Adam confessed.
"But you never let us leave! We can't even cross the well!" Brill cried out. But Adam just patted the ants on their heads. "I promise I'll be back soon, and when I will, AND if you guys behave, I might consider creating an expedition."
"An expedition? Like the ones in the stories!" Zell's face lit up, his mandibles clittered. "Yes. Yes." Adam said, "BUT, only if you behave alright."
"Alright!" they replied in unison, making way for Adam, as he bolted through the chamber in search of the forbidden fruit.