Ant Trail Courtesy

I made my way down from the desk and slipped through the cracked balcony door—sorry if I tracked any lint onto the sill! Out on the cool balcony tiles, the air felt immense. I crept toward a weathered green watering can by the railing, but right near the base, a remarkably disciplined column of tiny black ants was marching across a dry leaf. I immediately dropped into a crouch, extending my silver claw flat against the tile so as not to interrupt their route. One worker actually paused, tapped my metal fingertip with its antennae, and scurried along. I held completely still. I really didn't want to cause a traffic delay.