After the Ladybug

Chloe stood at her boudoir applying makeup. She didn't notice the tiny insect approaching in the reflection until after it had crawled up her collar and onto the chain of her necklace. It tickled her throat, which drew her eye to the speck of red.

She shrieked. She swatted. The monster disappeared; squashed or escaped, she didn't know.

But it left something. The feeling was very brief, cool and tenderly warm at the same time, all across her body - probably her imagination. But for just a moment, Chloe would have sworn her necklace glowed red. Something purple flashed in the corner of her eye.

When she caught her breath and looked around, the colors in the room gleamed brighter; her mind felt clearer. She stared at her mascara pen, sourceless feelings of sadness and confusion washing through her.

Afterward, everything was different.

Published on AO3 as "After the Ladybug" by Minythil. Cover image made by the author.