by Janet Schmanet
A weekend bonfire has destroyed much of the ant colony existing on the fire pit border, leaving many ant casualties and still more displaced while they rebuild. Rescue efforts began in the early hours of morning, while the ground was burnt black and still warm from the inferno - a grim welcome to the task at hand.
Rescue efforts at the Fire Pit Colony.
Most of the ants hurried to assist without stopping to take in the magnitude of the scene before rushing into the darkened tunnels and disappearing, but atop the ridge, one ant could be seen throwing grains of sand down the hills without any regard for order or the safety of others. As I approached him for comment, I could sense he was displaying emotions that are usually unseen on the surface.
"...JUST LIKE LAST TIME!" he spat, "AND THE TIME BEFORE THAT, TOO!"
I was spotted, just then, and put my hands up in a surrendering gesture, hoping he wouldn't sound the alarm, so to speak, but I'd worn boots in any case.
Anthony Fuego has grown up within the colony - hatched into the orphanage and lived in a private apartment on the 7th subfloor. Asleep between shifts as a logistics technician when the fire broke out, he already knows he's lost everything - and he's piping HOT!
"I voted to leave, last election! This season is just getting started, the temperatures haven't even dropped yet! You'd think that being part of a union would mean that your vote's gonna count for something, but you can't reason with these ants - they don't think about anything but being in the right line, or on the right track - it's insanity - every season the - you guys - you have these massive, huge fires right here where we live and I can't take it anymore!"
When asked why the colony hasn't left, despite the seasonal bonfires held by the people, he said it's on the ballot every year, but the ants want to keep to tradition, and were afraid their culture might be forgotten elsewhere.
"We're the second oldest colony on the farm, you see, and there's a lot of pride in that. The queen is getting older, and her daughters don't want to relinquish their claim to her throne, or risk being second-class queens without colonies. The ants will never leave the Queen and she's left it to them to decide, so they stay and we all stay with them," he explained, kicking a piece of debris in frustration.
Elsewhere, ants could be seen dutifully removing debris and fallen friends from the aftermath, without a grunt of effort or slip of emotion. Additional bunks are being added to the barracks in the west wing of the Fire Pit Colony to house those displaced by the fire.
Donations for emergency workers and those affected are being collected at The Treehouse Community Center. Cash donations are tax deductible, upto $249 and no receipts will be issued.
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