Calyptra thalictri

Calyptra thalictri. The vampire moth. Sucking. Corrupting. Yet, elegant and ornate.

Mila admired her beige and maroon moth wing mask. Stroking.

Greg sat on the floor eating by her legs. He was now a good boy. Trained well. He gnashed into his chicken breast.

“Piggie… We have some work to do,” she said.

He looked up. There was a hesitation in his voice, “W-What do we do?”

Mila slapped him. Red mark on his face, “We? You mean you will do…”

Greg nodded. He stood up and put his mask on. Now the Iron Warthog was present.

“Good… I want you to catch Nadia’s little friend… Play games with her… Then end her.”

The Iron Warthog picked up his gun and a syringe set. Packed his bag and left. A grumble and snort. Then she will love me again…

Nadia climbed the steps. Knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Hugo said. He always opened the door. But not today.

“Nadia…” she said.

No answer. A pause. Hugo – had nightmares since. A flash of metal. The Iron Warthog. Pain. Trauma. Confusion. Somehow it was all connected to Nadia. And he couldn’t remember why.

“Please go…” He said.

“Hugo?”

“Please…”

Nadia nodded and left. Sinking. She had **** but to let Hugo go. The Volkov hurt him because of her. They were back. And she didn’t have Katherine.

She stood outside Hugo’s apartment building and lit up a smoke. The smoke, unable to calm her nerves. Not enough. She wanted to cry, but she was all out of tears. A hand on her shoulder.

“Nadia… I’m sorry,” Hugo said. He brought her into a hug, “I was afraid.”

“I’m sorry – I don’t know what to do,” Nadia said. Dry tears. Scrunching up her face.

A dove. Wounded. Not able to fly away. Birds of prey watching. Beasts on the ground. All Nadia wanted was her peace back.