What hurt most from the fall was my head, but it already hurt from the hangover, dehydration, and possible heatstroke. Strangely enough, I had survived the treacherous fall. I shook my head, trying to ignore the pain.

“Are y’all okay?”

I looked to the others, who had also survived the fall, despite it feeling much longer than is safe. They were staring up in shock. That’s when I realized we weren’t alone in this crevasse. Surrounding us on all sides were huge humanoid praying mantises. They stood menacing and silent, watching us as we shifted in terror. Their mandibles clicked through the silence, echoing eerily against the walls.

“Oh my god” I grabbed my siblings, and stood up. Fearful, but determined, and unsure how I would escape this crazy situation. 

Then, the crowd parted and a preying mantis, more beautiful and majestic then the others, strode towards us.

It lifted its foreleg and lifted my chin, looking me over.

“Do you understand me?” it asked

Though unsure how it spoke, i nodded to reassure it.

“Good, I only hope that lessens the screaming, I do hate obnoxious guests.”

“Guests?” i asked

“You’re in my territory so you are my guests.”

She turned away from me, clicking and buzzing in what I assumed was their native language, giving an order to a mantis beside her. It bowed slightly and headed towards us.

She looked over her shoulder at me,”follow him.”

Unsure what else to do when encountering humanoid praying mantises, I decided following them was the best decision. I helped my siblings up, and walked with them up through tunnels in the cave wall, and into a strange room.

The mantis who led us there motioned for us to enter, and the second we did, he slammed the door behind us. Did we just walk into a jail cell?

“What the fuck is happening?!” my brother shouted

My other brother sat silent, and weak against the wall. My sister paced the room, pulling her hair in stress.

“Are you guys seeing what I’m seeing?” my brother asked

“If you see giant talking bugs, then yes.” i replied

“No, I think we’re lost, this isn’t the trail.” he looked confused with my remark.

“Yeah that too, we did fall into this giant crevasse.”

“So we’re out of water and lost, this trip is going great!”

“You guys forgot the water, not me!” I started getting defensive, because it was a better channel for my confusion in this situation.

Not too much later, a mantis returned, opening the door, and the mantis who spoke before stood in the doorway.

“I understand your species is sentient, which makes this unfortunate circumstance.”

“I’m glad you are sentient and that you are being civil despite our differences.”

She smiled woefully,”You see, we are short on food, otherwise we may have found a way to avoid this. The counsel has determined that you are to be used to replenish that supply.”