#10 Gathering like Clockwork

Amber kept her full attention on the ground, despite the cold gnawing at her, which made her tug the scarf a bit tighter around her neck.

There, there was what she had searched for: a beetle! And apparently, it wasn’t alone.

Perfect. She could use some more in case she failed her potion, although she felt a bit bad for the beetles.

Amber slowly approached the fighting beetles, trying to hide from them for as long as possible. A few feet away from them and the stone bench, she paused and crouched down. With a keen eye, she observed their moves, trying to anticipate their possible next moment.

The beetles liked to make rounds around the bench, facing each other with the occasional pincer attack. It felt like watching a duel unfold.

However, they were kind of predictable.

Amber patiently waited, until the scuttled more into her direction, before she pushed herself from her feet, throwing her arms forward.

She was able to catch one beetle off guard, while the other immediately escaped to nearby grass. But before she could follow it, she needed to pack away her catch. The catch which desperately wriggled in her hand, trying to escape or pinch her.

“Nope, you are coming with me! Here, let me introduce you to someone else!”

With that, Amber got up and managed to throw the beetle into the jar with her other beetle in the potions kit, then turned back to where the battle had been interrupted.

The snow was now scuffed, some grass blades peeking out of it. Though where was the beetle now…

Amber crouched down again, and slowly walked around the bench. The beetle was a great opponent in playing hide-and-seek, having the advantage of its size. However, Amber was better. It took her a while, but she found its hiding place: right under the stone bench in a tuft of grass.

She observed it for a moment, but it didn’t move. Perhaps it thought, Amber had given up or that it was the perfect hiding place.

Too bad, neither was true.

Amber leaped forward again and reached for the beetle. It sensed the shadow falling over it, but it was too late: Amber caught the wriggling beetle and quickly let it join his friends.

She held up the jar and looked at the three beetles.

“A reunion! Do you think, we’ll find another friend for you?”

The cold suddenly send a shiver down her spine, and she clasped her arms around her in an attempt to warm herself more. But it reminded her about her being out and about in the snow for a while now. Sure, casting the occasional warming charm had helped, though with time it wouldn’t be effective anymore. Still… She could manage one more beetle, right?

With determination, Amber slowly walked around the courtyard once more, keeping an eye out for another beetle.