Around daybreak, Collin was released in a patch of hyacinths on the swampy waters of the bayou. His form felt stable than it had hours before the pain and he had yet to make sense of what had happened. As the pain faded and the large life pulse faded into the distance, there was only one thing that dominated his attention.


    HUNGRY


    It drove every fiber of his being.


    HUNGRY, HUNGRY, HUNGRY!


    The feeling had grown to a painful level of sensation. There was no other choice, he had to feed. Instinct guided his actions as his hunger drove him forward. Four spindly legs Carried him across the water successfully, yet awkwardly. His form was still unstable from the length of time without a meal.


    Not far from where he hatched, a low hanging branch sported a chrysalis just within reach.


    HUNGRY


    Collin climbed to the top of the hyacinth closest to the chrysalis and leaped to it, just barely catching a grip and hanging on. He let the life pulse lead him to the top near where it was strongest. This was also the point where the chrysalis  was attached to the branch. There was a small, soft spot there and Collin took advantage by chewing through to the inside. He spat out the first few layers and squeezed through the opening that was just barely large enough to fit through. Even deprived of food, Collin knew the true prize was inside.


    Inside the chrysalis, was a helpless, partially developed creature. Not quite a caterpillar anymore, but not yet a butterfly either. For a moment, Collin felt sorry for the pitiful thing, but the feeling was instantly squashed by the overwhelming need to feed. He was more a force of instinct and nature rather than a conscious individual in this state.


    Collin didn’t hesitate to chew straight through the caterpillar’s soft head. There was a sharp combination of bitter and sour with an undertone of sweetness as the different soft and slimy textures filled his mouth. The heat added to the slimy texture, making it even more delicious. He was hunting primarily for sustenance, not flavor, but he couldn’t deny enjoying himself. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    As he chewed his way through the best meal of his life, Collin could feel a pulse of concentrated nutrients growing along the spine. Almost like it was calling to him. He prioritized that portion first but didn’t stop there.


    When the meal was finished, Collin was no longer driven mad by hunger. There was still a background nagging pulse of hunger, but it was faint enough now that he was no longer ruled by it. He poked his head out of the chrysalis to survey his surroundings.


    The sun was already falling in the distance, spreading hues of orange and pink across the water’s surface. He must have been feeding for the whole day for the sun to already be setting.


    There was a shoreline within sight on either side of him, with drooping trees that fought to preserve the ridgeline. The patch of hyacinths that he was born in came just short of touching the shore on one side.


    A water strider slid across the water in front of him between the hyacinths. It had a graceful way of moving that Collin found himself watching in admiration. He may have the same form, but his capabilities were lacking in comparison. The water strider seemed to dance with every movement, slowly twirling and sliding without a care in the world.


    Colin watched long enough that he thought he could feel something deeper within the water strider. Its rhythm, its intentions, its… thought pulse?


    At first, Collin thought it was his imagination, but as he paid closer attention, he really could feel beyond the water strider’s life pulse and see into its intentions. It gave off a small unobtrusive pulse that when Collin focused, let him know where the strider would move to next.


    Suddenly, A larger life pulse approached from below the strider until it was upon it.


    A gigantic mouth of a fish surrounded the water strider from below and pulled it underneath the surface of the water. For all its grace, the tiny thing never stood a chance.


    Another mouth appeared in the distance, then another. Collin spread his awareness and realized he could sense multiple life pulses of fish in the water. There was an endless swarm of them down there! There were too many out there to be able to count. It was overwhelming. Collin looked up to the setting sun. He needed to get off the water before sunset was over. Taking the hint from his late graceful companion, he decided to avoid the water''s surface. ___


    Collin leaped down from the chrysalis. The wind picked up at that exact moment and carried his feet from his target landing point. Panic set in as his miniature frame was helplessly carried by the gust of wind.


    Thankfully, he touched down on the leafy surface of a hyacinth. He reprimanded himself for not being more careful. Luckily, the wind was blowing favorably toward the shore so it hadn’t reversed his momentum.


    Did he dare risk being carried away again?