The early evening sky gleamed, a uniform silvery blue with flat gray clouds hanging in painted forms like a child’s drawing. The summer sun had not yet set, leaving enough light to see my friends as they sped ahead of me across the lawn, the world draining of color in the disappearing light. It was hot, deep-south hot. The humid air draped us like a heavy curtain, thick and damp with the anticipation of a midnight storm. The nighttime creatures were starting a chorus, crickets and tree frogs chirping their summer melody. The smell of freshly cut grass dusted the air. There was laughter ahead; I watched as my friends played tag, darting in a zig-zag pattern on their way to the creek. I picked up my pace and tried to catch up with the group.

It was much darker now, the sun settling below the painted clouds for the night. I could no longer see my friends clearly, save the occasional glimpse of their lights. I had fallen too far behind and found myself alone as the wide open lawn narrowed towards a wooded path. I made my way down the gently sloped hill towards the creek. The air was slightly cooler under the canopy of trees and a faint breeze rustled the leaves above. The frogs were much louder, screeching to each other from their vertical homes. The leaves behind me on the path crunched; instinctively I spun around and jumped to the left. I chuckled in relief as the white-streaked tail of a deer flashed and then vanished into the woods. I continued on until the path intersected with another; I knew both left and right bearings ended at the creek, but we had not planned which direction we would explore tonight. I paused, listening carefully for my friends, feeling uneasy in the dark, alone and accompanied only by my light. I turned it on, pointing towards the direction I thought they had chosen.

I traveled along, shining my light occasionally to keep to the path. I heard a loud rustling in the leaves but this time decided to ignore it. I pressed forward, quickening my pace to reach my group. All at once the air felt warmer and the breeze absent. I paused again – something felt wrong. The frogs and crickets went silent and the forest became eerily still. I turned to reverse my course and smacked my head against something hard and cold, the impact knocking me to my feet.

I awoke with a start. It was difficult to breathe and the summer heat was now stifling. I could hear a few sounds, but they were muted, as though I were underwater. I was no longer in the darkness; a light as bright as the sun shone directly into my face, then switched off abruptly, leaving me momentarily blinded. I tried to propel myself forward and smacked into a wall. My fear rising, I moved in the other direction as my vision began to return, only to hit another wall. I tried again, walking slowly this time, meeting each wall of my invisible cage. The lack of air strangled any noise I tried to make and my panic intensified. Without warning the bright light shone again and I crawled to one corner as a harsh sawing began overhead. I couldn’t see the source of the noise, the grinding reverberating in my limbs and shaking my entire body. And then, just as suddenly, the sound ceased. Cool air rushed in above my head and slowly my body relaxed as I filled my lungs. The bright light turned off and once more my eyes tried to adjust.

It was dark again. I still had my light and turned it on. Instantly came a child’s squeal of happy laughter, muffled from behind my cell walls. I turned off my light to try to see, but there was only darkness and the hole above seeping sweet, fresh air. I turned on my light and then came the laughter. I pressed my face against one wall and was met with two large brown eyes staring back at me, the source of the delight.

Dumbfounded, I came to realize my situation. I had been warned when I was young, but never did I think this could happen to me. I had listened to the stories from those who survived and remembered the sage advice. “Keep your light going and pray they set you free.” So I did. I shined my light again and again for that round, cherub face and sure enough, he eventually lifted the top of my invisible cage. I was overwhelmed with relief, launching my wings in triumphant flight as I made my escape, flashing one last wink at the small boy before I found my way back to the safety of the deep woods. Relishing in my freedom, no longer a firefly captured.