Scarlett's delighted smile vanished in an instant, one heartbeat there had been dirt and the next... bugs. Hundreds of tiny legs shimmered in the sunlight as beetles spilled from the little tunnel, scattering across the ground in every direction. Scarlett froze, her ears pinning flat against her head as her eyes grew impossibly round ...Too many bugs, the tiny declaration came out in a horrified whisper.

When they began climbing onto Anastasia, Scarlett let out a startled squeak Ana! her sister's frightened cries tugged at her immediately and without thinking, Scarlett bounded forward... only to skid to an abrupt stop the moment a beetle wandered in her direction. The little girl recoiled so dramatically she nearly toppled onto her back. No, no...

She looked from the insects to her sister, her face scrunching with worry. Ana needed help, but the bugs were...well...they were bugs. Scarlett crept forward again, placing each paw with exaggerated care so she wouldn't accidentally step on one. She lowered herself until her nose was close to the ground, blowing the gentlest puff of air she could manage toward a beetle clinging to Anastasia's leg when it did nothing she promptly called for backup.

Mama! she barked at last, her voice small but urgent. Mama... bugs! Help Ana!

She looked apologetically at the beetles, then back to her sister, "" Bug nice...far 'way nice."

That, Scarlett decided, was the perfect distance for all creepy crawlies.

—
Raisa