Staycation

"Wow, a whole month off; are you going somewhere?" Karen asked, impressed. "It's more of a staycation," Celia replied smiling. "I have SO much vacation to use up and, well, it's time to transform my life, you know?" "Totally," Karen said, sighing. "I'm jealous." "Don't be," Celia comforted. "Who knows if I'll actually do anything but lie around and watch Netflix?" They shared a laugh and Karen wandered off. In her cube, getting things organized for her departure and time away, Celia swallowed hard to quell a moment of panic. She did not, in truth, know if she would ever be back. The chrysalis in the attic was ready - a glittering and papery suspended sack that she had (apparently) been building in her sleep for months (the sign that it was time). "Time for what exactly?" she whispered to herself. It would feel amazing to step into that cool and comfortable chamber where all time would be suspended, but ... what was she changing into? What would life look like afterwards? "Sssshhhhhhh," Celia whispered to the little song playing in her blood - the promise and threat of things to come.