Love Thy Spider - Christopher M. Geeson
I was dusting the spare room when I saw the Spider. Now, you know I couldn’t hurt a fly, but that little thing filled me with dread. I went for the vacuum cleaner in the corner and he followed me, as if he knew what I had in mind. I fumbled with the plug and he came closer. I was all on edge, my heart pounding. Finally, I got the plug in and reached for the switch. Then I heard a voice.

“Don’t you dare.”

I looked around and there was nobody there.

“Take that infernal machine away.”

I thought I was hearing things. Then the Spider advanced.

“I’ll crawl up your arm and into your hair - what fun that would be!”

I screamed and made for the door. He was quicker.

“You’re forgetting something.”

I stopped. He was between me and the door and he was talking to me. I felt sick.

“I won’t tell you again, Clarissa.” The Spider was on the floor, tapping one of his spindly legs like that impatient man in the post office does. He watched as I bent down to unplug the vacuum cleaner.
Illustration for 'Love Thy Spider' (c) copyright iStockphoto.com/Stevn Foley


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