Enos landed seven right hooks on Hiram’s jaw, knocking Hiram against the curved glass wall and making him dizzy.

“Get up!” screamed Enos. “Get up and fight!”

Hiram slowly opened his eyes, staring past Enos through the opposite glass wall at the grossly distorted Large Ones. Why they felt it necessary to put him and Enos in this prison was a mystery.

“We are friends, Enos,” Hiram implored. “Friends, damn it! We are proud Lepidopterans, and we don’t DO this!”

“Get up and fight! DAMN you!” Tears were streaming from Enos’ six tiny eyelets.

Enraged at Enos’ refusal to reason, Hiram sucker-slapped him across the lower head with an bristled antenna, stunning Enos long enough for Hiram to get back on six legs. The two continued to grapple until Hiram was able to finish secreting his silk thread away from Enos’ view.

As Enos caught his breath, Hiram lunged his rear abdominal segment toward him, entangling Enos and cutting off his air.

“Forgive me, brother,” he whispered, choking back the sobs.