You checked the clock on your phone—"five minutes left". A wicked grin spread across your face as you tiptoed back toward Ellibear’s room, with the golden orb in your pocket. The door was still slightly ajar, and from inside, you could hear the slow, wet 'chomp chomp chomp' of her chewing.
Peeking in, you saw her exactly as you left her—slumped on the floor, half-dazed, spinach juice smeared around her mouth like some kind of deranged salad monster. Her movements were sluggish, her eyes unfocused. "Almost time."
You leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching the clock tick down.
"3… 2… 1…"
Ellibear’s body jerked as if struck by lightning. Her eyes snapped wide—human again, full of horror and confusion. She gagged, spitting out the half-masticated wad of spinach onto the carpet.
“Wha—what the—what was I doing?!” she shrieked, scrambling onto her knees. She looked down at herself—her nightgown wrinkled, her limbs trembling, her mouth tasting like a rabbit’s breakfast. And the *memories*—oh god, the memories—of being a caterpillar, of wanting to crawl and chew and writhe on the floor.
But in her mind, it had all been her own idea. She doesn't even remember meet you two hours ago. All thanks to the orb.
Her hands flew to her head. “No, no, no—this doesn’t make sense—”
That’s when you stepped in, gasping dramatically.
“Ellibear?!” you cried, eyes wide with feigned shock. “What in the world are you doing?!”
She whipped her head toward you, face burning with humiliation. “I—I don’t know! I think I—I thought I was—*oh god*—”
You marched forward, adopting your best disappointed parent tone. “First of all, look at this mess!” You gestured at the spit-out spinach, the drool stains on her nightgown. “And second—were you eating off the floor?!”
“I—I didn’t mean to—it just—happened—”
“That’s disgusting,” you snapped, shaking your head. “I expect better from you, young lady.”
Ellibear’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. “Young lady?! mommy, biologically I’m your mother—”
“Oh, really?” You arched a brow. “Because mothers don’t act like this. Mothers don’t roll around on the carpet chewing leaves like some kind of wild animal!”
She flinched, her face turning crimson. “I—I know, but—”
“No buts,” you cut in, wagging a finger. “You’re clearly not responsible enough to be left alone. So here’s what’s going to happen—you’re past your curfew now. Remember your curfew, Nine-thirty sharp. And if I catch you acting like this again, you’re grounded.”
Ellibear sputtered, her hands clenching in frustration. “This isn’t funny! Something’s wrong with me—I remember thinking I was a bug—”
You sighed, rolling your eyes. “Ugh, excuses. Next you’ll tell me you identify as a caterpillar.”
She let out a strangled noise of outrage.
You clicked your tongue. “Clean yourself up, Ellibear. And behave.”
Ellen could only nod, utterly defeated. "Yes... Mommy..."
And with that, you turned on your heel and strode out, leaving her standing there—mortified, confused, and utterly powerless.
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