Since childhood, Anthony had a penchant for torturing ants.
He saw killing ants as his therapy.
He’d go out with his magnifying glass in the afternoons.
But that day was different.
Stop while you’re ahead, said an inner voice as smoke billowed.
He incinerated the colony anyway.
They say his death in the house fire was accidental.
They say ants often build nests in warm electrical boxes.
They say this sometimes leads to shorts that lead to fires.
Only the ants of Emmet Lane know the truth.
