“Mosley’s Change of Heart” By: Joy Johnson SMASHWORDS EDITION “Mosley’s Change of Heart” Copyright 2011 Joy Johnson Thank you for downloading my eBook short story. I encourage you to talk about it with your friends and family. This ebook short story is a work of fiction. Any, and all, resemblance to persons; living or dead, or places, events or locations, are purely coincidental, and should not be taken for fact. The characters represented within this working of fiction are productions of the author’s imaginings and are ficticious. This should be considered young adult reading material. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to www.Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. “Mosley’s Change of Heart” Sweat dripped from Mosley as he dropped off his last seed for the night. It was darker in the tunnels tonight than it had been the past few nights, but he could still find his way around. On his way to the room he shared with more than six of his siblings, he came upon a small gathering. Their words were hushed and nervous. He could almost feel the tension in the air between them. He was tired and wanted to continue on to his room, but curiosity got the best of him. He turned to see what all the fuss was about. "Queen Pherah must be told," one stated firmly. Whispers of agreement came from a few. "But you know what she will do," another countered. More whispers spread throughout the group. Eyes twitched this way and that nervously. "Not telling her would be treason!" Another growled angrily. Mosley shouldered his way closer as they all continued their argument. He peered over their heads to see what was the object of such debate. On the ground, in the center of the group, sat a small white bundle. Mosley gasped as it wriggled and giggled up at all of them. Now he understood. This had not happened in a hundred years. "We must tell the Queen! This child must not be allowed to live!" The crowd all began to agree with one another that this was the right thing to do. Dust filled the air around Mosley as they all began to shuffle away toward the Queen's private chambers. Mosley couldn't make himself move. He was left alone with the child staring up at him. Her gentle amber eyes seemed to peel away all the walls around his soul with one bat of her lashes. Silence fell over both of them. He knew he had to make a choice. A very difficult choice. He could take her and run; sparing her the horrible fate that the others planned for her. Or he could turn his back on her, and wash his hands of any involvement. But how could he turn his back on those soft, deep eyes? Mosley swallowed, hard. As if on cue, the little girl laughed and put out her arms to him; as though she knew she had already won. Without a second's delay, Mosley scooped her up. He was running faster than he had ever known he could. His heart pounded in his ears. The terror of knowing what they would do to him if they caught him stealing her filled his mind. He forced himself to slow to a casual walk once he reached the main chamber. Mosley prayed silently to himself that the little girl could some how understand his need for her to play dead as he moved into the moon lit room. Several of his younger brothers paid him no attention at all. But there were many of his older siblings that did notice him. He quickened his pace. The path, the only path, out of the hive loomed before him. It almost seemed to glow in the dim light. "Where do you think you're headed to this time of night little brother?" A deep voice barked at him from behind. Mosley froze, and  took a deep breath before turning to face his older brother. He forced his face to show no emotion. "I'm taking this dead one out of the hive," Mosley replied as quietly as he could without rousing suspicion. The older sibling stepped closer and examined his bundle. Mosley quickly cast an eye down at the little girl. Her eyes were closed, and he thanked God that she somehow knew to play dead. But his heart pounded in his chest as he stared back at his older brother who towered over him. Mosley's knees felt weak. He knew that if the little girl made one sound, or even opened her eyes... They would be dead. "A female was born?" The older sibling whispered in shock after a moment and backed away, as though what Mosley really carried was a lethal disease. "Yes, but she was still born," Mosley replied quietly, still trying to show no emotion. The older sibling nodded with a serious expression. "Then I guess it is best that you get rid of it. Just make sure you're not gone too long. Tomorrow is another gathering day. The winter is coming you know," the older sibling stated over his shoulder as he turned and walked away. Mosley let out the breath that he had been holding, and spun on his heel back toward the path. He raced up its steep incline, and managed to get all the way to the top before he heard it. The sound of betrayal. He cast his eyes down into the vast main room one last time, knowing it would be the last time he ever saw any of them. The Queen was just emerging into the main area, surrounded by her personal guard, and screaming out his name in her high pitched keen. All eyes turned upward to him, their expressions mixed between confusion, and outrage. "We shouldn't kill out of fear. We should never kill at all. Just let us go," Mosley called down to them. His heart filled with pain, knowing that they would never understand what he now understood. After all, female children represented an age old threat to them. They represented a change in authority, the Queen's authority. Up until this day he had believed the same thing as them. Now, though, as he turned and burst through the opening of the hive at a full sprint, he glanced down at the little sleeping girl in his arms and believed differently. He believed that change could be good. The moon was brighter than any Mosley had ever seen that night. He tore across the desert sands surrounding his old home. His old family tried to follow him, but eventually gave up as a great wind shifted the sands and covered Mosley's trail. Though sadness filled Mosley's heart for the life he left behind, God watched over his little ants as they made their journey, and led the two to another place. One that was called, "Ant Farm." It was a place full of milk and honey, and a loving care giver named, Hesus. ****** ABOUT THE AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY: I have traveled all over the United States as both an active duty United States Marine and now as a Veteran. I am proud of my military service, and am proud of others whom have served or are currently serving. I am happily married to a wonderful man, and care for two of the best dogs a girl could ever find. I have also always loved to read and dream up stories of all kinds. However, it is only recently that I have begun recording them. It is my supreme hope that my characters find their way into the world and provide others with the same kind of wonder that they have provided me with these past years. CONNECT WITH ME ON: Facebook: http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000050420579 Facebook, “Writings,” Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/150808965006479/ Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JoyJohnson Other Stories I have written: “Hunter” http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/157240 “The Tandem Mind” https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/158111