Along Came a Spider(Alex, Glottack)

Alex awoke with a dull throbbing sensation coming from the back of her head. Reaching a hand around to rub the sore spot she discovered a rather large knot. She was sitting on the ground inside of a damp cave whose entrance was sealed off by a large spider web. Getting to her feet, she put out a hand against the wall as a wave of nausea over took her. After a few more seconds, she carefully inched her way to the spider web and peered out between its openings.

There was a faint glow of torch light near the end of a long tunnel. Other than that, there was nothing she could see but blackness. She began pulling at the webbing, hoping to get out of here before somebody or something realized she was conscience. However, the web proved to be stronger than what it appeared. While looking about for something to cut the webbing with, Alex heard a strange clicking sound. Looking down the length of the tunnel, her eyes rested upon a large spider moving toward her.

Alex shrank back against the cave wall, trying to get some distance between her and the arachnid. The huge black form took up the entire cave entrance. With one swoop it removed the webbing. Alex stared in disbelief at the ghastly creature before her. It had a large black abdomen with eight spindly legs protruding out of it. On each leg was a series of spikes that could rip a person to shreds. But it was the head that caused Alex alarm. Attached to the enormous abdomen was a woman’s head. It was beautiful and hideous all at the same time. She had short black hair, beady black eyes and blood red lips. When she smiled long white fangs dripping in poison were revealed.

“Welcome, we’ve been waiting for you.” Her voice was surprisingly soothing, almost hypnotic. Alex shook her head, clearing away the fog that threatened to overtake her mind.

Alex backed into the furthest corner of the cave but to her surprise the rock wriggled beneath her fingers. Jumping away from the wall, she caught a glimpse of movement on the floor, then to her right. Her eyes finally focusing on the thousands of small black spiders moving about the cave. A scream escaped her lips before she could even stop it. Instict took over and she began stomping the creatures with her booted feet.

“No!” the spider/woman let out a blood curdling scream. “My children, my precious children!” Looking into Alex’s eyes she hissed “You will pay for this, human, but for now I must take you to the Beholder.”

Without a word of warning she shot out a massive web that ensnared Alex, pinning her arms to her side. Spinning her repeatedly in a thread of web, Alex found herself bound from ankle to neck in the sticky material. Hoisting the cocoon onto her back the spider worked her way through the maze of tunnels, going further into the mountain.



* * * *


Glottack and Serataom were deep in conversation as they walked to the Council meeting. They were discussing the stars when a girl’s scream was carried in on the wind.

“They’ve got her” Glottack hung his head in sorrow. A deep ache forming in the pit of his stomach.

Serataom looked pleadingly into Glottack’s eyes. “Is there nothing we can do?”

“I’ve done all that I can. It is up to the gods to help her now.”

They walked the rest of the way in silence, both lost in thoughts of the young girl and the trials she must surely be facing. When they reached the council hut, Serataom wished Glottack well and returned to her home, tears in her eyes.

“Did you hear?” Tavalox’s excited voice greeted Glottack. “Justice will be served after all. The foolish girl went to the mountain on her own.” The Council erupted in laughter. Glottack felt the heat of anger creeping up his neck. He willed himself to calm down for fear of risking a harsher punishment.

“Let us begin,” started Tavalox and the room quickly became quiet. “Glottack is here because he willingly disregarded a Council order – he let the human go free. However, because the sentence was carried out all the same, I move that Glottack be set free with a warning.”

“Here, here” came the loud reply. With that the Council was dismissed. Glottack heard snatches of conversation regarding the girl and her certain demise. He felt sure that he would be sick if he did not get out of the building.

Escaping into the clear night, Glottack breathed in the cool air. Looking up at the stars he smiled and a peace came over him, for he knew that she would be just fine, a little battered perhaps, but alive all the same.