A Tiny Red Explorer

The speckled ladybug climbed all the way to the tip of my green finger. I held my hand very still, lifting it close to my wide eyes. My ears dipped forward as its tiny prickling feet paused at the edge of my claw. Suddenly, two tiny red wing cases snapped open, revealing transparent wings beneath. With a faint buzz, it lifted into the warm midday air, circling right past my ear before drifting toward a tall fern. A delighted, bubbling coo slipped from my throat as I watched the red speck disappear into the green leaves.