"Ascension"

"Ascension"

by Graeme Pischke

What fools we were. Life for us crickets was dull and uneventful. All we had ever known was black walls and brown hills. We would pass our days waiting. Waiting for the day when we would be chosen to finally move on to a better place. 

I especially wanted out. I knew nothing of the world outside of these walls and I wanted so desperately to know what was out there. Finally, it was that time again. The giant glass seal lifted and the great Spectacled Goddess lowered the plastic chariot. There were hundreds of us and every time the Goddess came, she chose at least a dozen to carry off in the chariot. Nobody knew where they went, but we were all positive it had to be better than the life we had now.

At last, my time had come. The great Spectacled Goddess chose me to take away from this place. As I rode off with eleven of my brothers and sisters and bid farewell to the ones left behind, I could never have imagined what lay ahead.

We rode in the chariot for what felt like hours. The Spectacled Goddess had passed us off to another giant and we had no idea where he was taking us. Eventually, he dumped us out of the chariot and into what seemed like a small glass prison. There were hills and valleys similar to the ones from our previous home and strange orange cubes that smelled delicious.

A few hours passed and then all of a sudden, our glass prison levitated off the ground and came to rest over a sand covered plain. The screen slid open and the seal to our prison was unlocked. We tilted. I watched as one of the others jumped excitedly into the dirt. I didn't know what was happening, but I was so curious that I just had to find out for myself, so I followed him. The sand was warm and almost comforting. In that moment, I felt like I had nothing to fear.

And then I saw it. Out of a small cave crawled a huge horrible monster. Scales as yellow as pus, it was covered in warts and black spots. Its claws were long and ugly, its tail pale and swollen. Its eyes. Dear Goddess, THOSE WICKED SOULLESS EYES! How their gaze haunted my very soul!

We didn't know what this creature wanted with us, but we did not wish to stay and find out. But it was too late. The screen was already back in place, trapping us inside. With no other options, we scattered and each took different hiding places. I hid behind a large rock and my friend under a hollow log. I watched as the monster crawled along the warm sand, searching for us. I prayed to the Spectacled Goddess that we would be safe, but the monster discovered my friend and with one quick snap, he was gobbled up in mere seconds.

I had never been so disgusted in all my life. As I watched in pure horror at the monster that I deeply hoped was already satisfied, a million thoughts raced through my mind. How could this be happening? Is this it?! Is this the fate that awaits all of us?! Is our entire purpose to sustain this beast?! How could the Spectacled Goddess allow this?!

No matter what it took, somehow, some way I had to escape and warn the remaining crickets about the impending danger. I looked around, but from my vantage point, I could see know way out, so I made the daring decision to find a new spot. I moved as quickly as I could, but I didn't get very far before the monster blocked my path. I was completely paralyzed, unable to bring myself to run or hop away. But I didn't stay there for long because with one final lunge of the creature's jaws, it was over. I had met my destiny. Such is the fate of a cricket, I suppose.