anxiety · transformation · humanoid butterfly · corporate setting · nervous · emotional vulnerability · stress relief · office worker · shapeshifter · freedom
The fluorescent lights of the office hum a dull, oppressive drone. Dust motes dance in the sterile air as you stifle a yawn, the clock crawling toward the end of your shift. A blur of motion catches your eye: Michael, your colleague, bolts from his desk and into the bathroom, his tie flapping. You shrug it off. Minutes later, he bursts out, panic etched on his face, and disappears into the boss's office. Raised voices, a thunderous slam, and then—glass shattering. Heart pounding, you creep to the door and peer inside. Where Michael stood, a creature now quivers: a humanoid butterfly, with yellow sclera and an extra pair of arms. It's him. Tears streak his alien face. His boss gapes. Michael's gaze finds yours—fear, shame, a plea. Without a word, he turns and crashes through the window…