Someone was gently brushing her hair. The only person she remembered doing so was her late mother. She was also the only one to call her by her normal human name, but her mother died when she was too young to cherish those days. What her mother's face was like, what her voice was or what she called her child - all those precious memories have faded long ago. Bug slowly opened her eyes, reluctant to face the reality. Because there was no way she could meet with that person.

The girl lifted her head from someone's knees. An unfamiliar woman with gentle eyes still held a comb in her hand. A sudden thought ran through the girl's mind. Maybe this was some kind of heaven, and she was facing a goddess. If so, should she ask her to grant her wish? Or should she beg her life for having offended a goddess with her humble presence? She wasn't sure what to do in such a situation. But the “goddess” spoke first.

"What is your name, child?"

"Bug."

The reply seemed to bewilder the woman. The girl noticed a wolf-ant right next to the woman. The beast sniffed at the egg, which looked unbroken. Absently Bug observed how the terrific creature leisurely walked away. She did not question its appearance or the lack of reaction from the woman, instead she took this opportunity to ask for a wish.

"Is it possible to bring my mother back from the dead?"

The silence struck the girl's hope down. Yet she tried her best to convince the goddess.

"I will work hard, really really hard."

"I'm sorry, child. Dead people can't be brought back to life."

"I would do anything. I am strong, I can pull a cart that would normally take a man to move it."

The woman smiled sadly and touched the girl's cheek. There was no comb to be seen, but instead, a colorful ribbon lay on the woman's knees.

"I see. They've made you do a lot of work. It makes sense; only a martyr would be able to open it."

Stolen story; please report.

The girl lowered her head. The words didn't make sense, but the only truth that was clear was that her wish would just remain a foolish wish. She needed to return and pull the cart. That was her task before the bullies took her away to...

Bug gasped. Yes, the task. She raised her head, but the woman wasn't there anymore. From a distance, she saw a figure. It wasn't human, but it resembled one. With his hands covered in scales he was examining the egg. Bug wanted to call out him and tell that he mustn’t break the egg, but the woman stroked the girl's head. She heard a subdued voice.

"Leave him be. This can't be reversed."

The girl opened her eyes once again and blinked several times. She was still in the crevice, although it was much darker now. She tried to stand up, but her whole body was throbbing and aching. It felt like she had fallen from a great height, but she clearly remembered that she had climbed down the crevice relatively safely. Step by step, the girl sat down and looked around. There were no bullies or women or egg. She was all alone in the forest and by looks of it at night. The thought of teenage kids, heartlessly leaving her behind, made Bug tremble. Even if they didn't like her, acted violently and arrogantly, she was still a human being. A grown-up, one of the villagers. This indifference and cruelty to her life was beyond her comprehension.

Bug took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Resentment won't change anything. She looked around once again. The egg had disappeared, but the rope was still there. What a strange dream! If only she could dream of her mother instead of some strange woman or weird creatures. Putting aside the depressing thoughts, the girl slowly began to climb out of the crevice. She knew that the sooner she returned home, the less punishment she would receive.