Why are we treated like pests?
Because we breed faster than regular humans and the government can't keep up with housing demand?
Or maybe just because we happen to look a bit like bugs?
We can feel too. We have dreams, plans… but we can't even try reaching for them, because any violence toward us is seen as being a "good citizen."
Maybe if I pull my knees closer, I'll feel less cold? My body barely moves…
Who am I kidding. I'm lying here in this blind, dark alley, exhausted after running from a pack of fanatics.
The nights keep getting colder. I'll probably wake up dead. No one's here. No fire, no warmth.
Just me and these thin clothes.
I hugged my knees tighter, like that'd somehow help. I started shaking, not from the cold but from sadness. I clenched my teeth, trying to swallow my sobs so no one would hear me, but I couldn't. Quiet cries escaped me on their own, tearing their way out no matter how hard I tried to hold them back.
Why did I have to be born as a moth and a messed-up one too?
Even among my own kind I was the weird one, with just one pair of arms instead of two, but two pairs of wings that were totally useless anyway.
I sniffled.
I don't want to die. I never even got to meet anyone. I never had the chance to chase my passions, because my whole life I've been hiding and running away. I don't want it to end like this…
I started crawling, too weak to stand up. The lights from the street ahead and passing cars nearly blinded me, my vision blurring more and more.
"P-please…" I whispered, reaching out my hand. "Someone…"
I couldn't even finish the sentence. I didn't know if I was begging for help or for someone to just end it already. Didn't really think anyone would bother saving me.
But just as I was about to lose consciousness... I met him.
My prince from a fairy tale.
*
Something smelled nice and sweet.
So I really did die and wake up in heaven, huh?
Already getting the welcome feast ready? I thought with a mix of sadness and a weird little hope for good food.
I opened my eyes slowly. I didn't want it to be true…
…but I woke up in a dark living room. Well, not completely dark - soft blue LED lights lined the walls, glowing just enough not to hurt my eyes. Above me, a brown ceiling fan spun lazily. I stretched.
Geez, this couch is so soft I could stay here forever.
That thought actually made me smile. I pushed myself up to sit, moving slow and careful, then let out a huge yawn.
"Oh, you're awake?" a calm male voice asked.
I looked around. The room was empty except for me and the couch. There was a big wardrobe taking up half the far wall, a small square table with four chairs in the middle, and a TV playing some K-drama.
Still confused, I glanced around again. The second time, I noticed a small, hidden entrance near the other end of the couch, it led to a kitchenette.
"Sorry, maybe I should've shown myself first. I get it if you're scared, it's kind of an odd situation," the same gentle, deep voice said again.
From the kitchenette stepped the guy who saved me from freezing to death.
Oh my god, he's hot. Wait, what the hell am I thinking?! Come on, idiot, it's not the time to think about stuff like that!
He's probably just being nice. He'll kick you out first thing tomorrow. Don't get attached!
He was taller than me, with a well-built body, long golden curls, and deep brown eyes that looked straight through you. He wore a white shorts and sleeveless shirt with wide cutouts, showing off his ripped chest.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lumi," he said with a warm smile, reaching out his hand.
"A-Asael…" I stammered shyly, shaking it.
God, my hand looks tiny compared to his…
I glanced down at myself - black T-shirt, old shorts, all messy and dirty.
Meanwhile, Lumi sat down at the table, sighing softly.
"I'm probably taking a big risk letting you stay here, but I couldn't just ignore someone who needed help."
"Wow. That's… the first time anyone's ever said something like that about me," I replied, surprised.
"Honestly, I don't get why people treat your kind with such disgust. You're not that different from us."
"You don't have to worry. I'll leave tomorrow and—"
"So you can freeze to death again? Winter's right around the corner!"
"Y-you really don't have to worry about me. I'll find some warm spot somewhere and—"
"I doubt it. Ever since the government legalized aggression against Insectoids, things have gotten way worse."
I froze.
"H-how d-do you e-even know about t-that?" I asked, expecting the worst, though something deep down told me he wasn't a bad person. Just my survival instincts kicking in again.
"I work as a cleanup worker after the exterminations," he said quietly, looking down.
His face softened, like he genuinely felt sorry.
"Thank you… for helping me," I said, turning away. My lips trembled slightly. I wasn't sure if he noticed, but it was hard to hold back my emotions. I'd seen too many die the same way.
"Don't mention it. The world's not as bad as you think, despite all the propaganda. There are still good people out there."
You're the first one I've met so far, I thought, but didn't dare say out loud.
My nose twitched again, catching that same sweet, warm scent.
"What are you cooking? Don't you need to check on it? It smells amazing."
"Oh, that? Nothing fancy, just baking a cheesecake. I love it, haha."
At the word "cheesecake," my stomach growled loud enough to embarrass me.
For weeks, I hadn't eaten anything but random leaves I hoped were edible
Lumi laughed out loud.
"Don't worry, you'll get the first slice."
"Th-thanks. A-are you sure you don't mind me staying? I must stink, and I probably gross you out with my antennae and wings…"
"No, it's fine. If you want, you can take a shower. I'll grab you a towel," he said, looking down again.
Suddenly, Lumi's face turned red. I had no idea why. I watched him, trying to figure him out.
He must've felt it, because after a moment, he spoke again - softly, hesitantly.
"Um… I just realized, uh… I have only one bed."
"Huh?!"