Sarah Weaver #27
31 January 2019
The Metamorphosis: Unit: Narrative Writing Prompt
6th Hour Mrs. Claire
The Light in Darkness
The jarring sound of my alarm jolted me out of my slumber. The ring was more
deafening than I remember. Despite that fact that insistent sound aroused me, I rolled over
begrudgingly and drifted off back into sleep. Soon my eyes filled up with light. My body reacted
to the spontaneous stimulation without my consent and before I knew it I was coasting toward
the source. My movement was slow but persistent. The light was the only thing relevant in my
reality. As I became critically close to the glow, it extinguished, and I regained control over my
body and mind. The click of my door’s latch could be heard. I looked over but missed the person
who had come in. Only then did I find an answer to all the commotion that morning.
I was flying. I gingerly looked down to where my human body once was. All I found was
a puff of cream coloured fur, six segmented appendages, and four wings covered in a wavy pelt.
A wave of nausea washed over me at the realization I was now a moth. In a panicked frenzy, I
jetted through the air, under my door, and down the now expansive hallway in an effort to reach
my parents. As I cut through the air, a rush of air whizzed passed me knocking me off balance.
My vision became a whirlwind of the palate of colours around me. On my decent, I saw the
culprit of my downfall. The house cat, Wolf, stood smug over me as he recoiled for another
swipe. Before he landed the blow, I caught myself and lifted with all the strength in my wings.
Continuing my adventure to find my mother and father, I heard cries of desperation.
“It’s Lauren! She’s runaway! I couldn’t find her in her room this morning,” my mother
pleaded.
“I’m sure she’s not far, Clara. She’ll be back. Where could she have gone? She doesn’t
know anyone here,” my father, Mike, tried consoling her. He was right; I was not far away. I
zipped around the room and shouted seeking their attention but it was to no avail. My words
came out tangled as incomprehensible sounds. This proposed a major dilemma.
I had to decide to either live among my family hoping I return to my previous body, or I
can leave them and live out my days free as a moth. After hovering for some minutes I know
what I have to do. Gliding back to my room, sure to ascend high enough to avoid Wolf, I thought
about my plan.
Slowly, I dipped each foot on the end of my many legs into an open paint I had left open
the previous night and began forming shapes remnant to letters. Timed passed and I looked down
at my work with satisfaction.
“Lauren’s left a note,” Clara bellowed, “It’s poorly written but I can make it out.” She
handed the note to Mike who was just rushing in.
“Dear Mom and Dad,” he began, “I have to go now. I am not hurt or ill but as a young
adult I must move on with my life. Don’t bother looking after me. I love you both endlessly and I
hope the feeling is reciprocated. I may come back. I may be gone forever. While my journey is
indefinite, I do know this new found freedom will teach me more about our world. Until we meet
again, your daughter, Lauren.”
I listened as he choked up on the last word but never the less, I flew out of the window
into my new world.