Page 124 of Sharkbait

---

“Fuck! Shit! Oh my God!”

James flies into an instant frenzy, running, swatting, and screaming.

“Don’t swat!” I yell. “Don’t swat at her! You’ll hurt her!”

But it’s too late.

Bonnie’s tiny but powerful body soars across the room and lands on the plush carpet.

She’s still.

So are we.

Oh God, please tell me we did not just kill Mabel’s mantis.

Please, please, please, please, please.

“What do we do?” James whispers.

“I don’t know, but if Bonnie is dead, you’re the one who’s telling Mabel,” I threaten.

“How the hell did she even get out of her cage?”

As soon James asks the question, the answer becomes clear.

Bonnie twitches a few times, then gets back on her mantid feet.

“She’s alive! She’s alive!” I clap and cheer.

My cheers are instantly silenced when Bonnie marches her insect self right back to the low bookshelf, scales it, drops into her cage, and… pulls the lid on top.

That. Was. So. Damn. Freaky.

This has been a lovely experiment living with my pal Mabel these past few weeks, but clearly, this is not a long-term solution.

“I’ve gotta get the hell out of here,” I say to James.

“Yeah, you do.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Louise

CALLIOPE:Sister friend, is it true that you and James have moved in together?

MABEL:It is true. They almost killed my praying mantis last week with their irresponsible at-home sexcapades, so I kicked her out.

MABEL:Kidding. She left because she couldn’t take the heat. #MabelUnleashed

ME:Hey, bitches. No, James and I did not move in together. I am simply staying at his place for a little while until I figure out my next move.

MABEL:A little mantis told me your preferred “move” is doggy style. #YouGoGurl

CALLIOPE:Could you cool it with the hashtags, Mabes?

MABEL:I’m not sure that I can. But I’ll certainly try.

ME:Gotta go, guys. James is taking me on our first official date.

---