1
Man... the sky looks so clear today... lying on the grass is so relaxing. The clouds look so free, I'm a little jealous. What time is it? 12:45, huh? I gotta head back to work soon. I stand back up and clean up my clothes from any lingering grass. Haah. Finish university they said... get a good job, they said... I mean I guess I'm doing fine for now, but this is so repetitive and monotone. I would love to spice my life up somehow.
"Someone help me!"
Huh? Am I hearing things? Crime? In this city? Nah, I'm probably just hearing things. There's no way-
"Stop!"
Shit. I'm not. I gotta go find the source of that cry for help. I run towards the scream and see and alleyway. Of course it is, it's so cliche I could laugh. I stand in the alleyway and see a girl grabbing an older woman by the collar.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
The girl turned to me- what the hell...? She looks so young... a kid? She looks younger than me...
"You can see us? Wow. Would you look at that, an innocent bystander stumbling upon our world"
"Our world..? What on earth are you talking about?"
"No matter"
The girl throws the woman against the wall and she turns to face me and starts walking in my direc- what the hell is that...? Am I hallucinating...? What are those spider-looking arms sprouting from her back...?
"Hehe... haha... Well... Master always said to get rid of witnesses... so I guess it's fine..."
The girl starts cackling maniacally. I gotta get out of here. I turn back to run but my legs freeze up. I can't move my legs!
"Damn it! Move, damn legs!"
The girl starts running towards me.
"MOVE!"
I slam my fist on my thigh so hard I lost my balance, but the pain gives me back the sensation in my legs and I run out of the alleyway. I turn the corner and catch my breath, but... what the hell was that...? Spider arms sprouting from a human's back? Nah, I'm probably just imagining things. I did work overtime multiple days in a row, so I'm probably tired. What time is it- 1:30? Shit! I'm late!
2
Luckily, I reached my office quickly and manage to avoid getting yelled at by the boss. I lean back in my chair and catch my breath. But seriously, what the hell was that about...? Out of curiosity, I decide to search it up online. Let's see here... what results come up?
"No results found for spider human hybrid"
Yeah, just like I thought. I'm probably too tired. I should get back to work.
"Yo, Jason"
I look up and see my buddy Don smiling.
"Hey Don, you need something?"
"Nah, you looked very stressed just now. You alright dude?"
"Yeah. Just a bit tired..."
"Wanna get tacos? My treat!"
"...sure. Thanks"
I stand up and go to a nearby taco place with Don. I haven't been to this place yet. It looks pretty rundown, but if anything, I know the place is going to be great. We find a place to sit and order our food.
"Don, do you believe in the supernatural?"
"Hmm? Where is this coming from?"
"...just out of curiosity"
I can't tell him about what I saw earlier. Even if I did, what would I say? I came across a spider human hybrid and she tried to kill me?
"I guess I do? I believe that there is a world beyond our own, but since it's not been scientifically proven I can't really say much"
"That's the logical answer, I guess"
We both share a laugh and eat once our food arrives. We share stories about work among other things before leaving the fast food place.
3
"Man, my shoulders are killing me dude. I've been working overtime these past few days"
"Makes sense, why are you working so hard anyway, Jason?"
"Saving up for something. I got something expensive I want to buy"
"Wow. You saving up money of all people? It's crazy"
We both share laughs and poke fun at each other while walking home.
"Alright Don, I'm this way."
"I'm the opposite. See you tomorrow, Jason."
We wave goodbye and we go our separate ways. As I walk back to my apartment, I can't help but recall the encounter I had earlier with that spider girl. Can it actually be just my imagination or is that something else...? Whatever. I unlock my apartment door and lay down on my bed after changing. I get ready for bed but I can't shake that encounter out of my head.
"Screw it. I'm going to get some sleep. I'm probably just tired."
****************
*RINGGGGGGG*
What the hell... what time is it...? Who's calling me...? Lucy...? I pick up the phone.
"Lucy...? What do you want...? It's two in the morning..."
"Jason, come to the hospital. NOW!"
"What...? What are you saying...? Are you insane...?"
"Don's been injured! He's been stabbed!"
"WHAT?! I'll be there ASAP!"
I grab my coat, keys, wallet and phone then drive to the hospital.
"Don... please be alright..."
4
I rush to the hospital as soon as I can. I see Lucy in the lobby.
"Lucy! Where's Don?!"
"...."
"Lucy...?"
Don, please... don't tell me...
"Damn it..! Which room?"
"204"
I run to room 204 immediately and open the door.
"Don!"
I run to his bed and nearly throw up. He had multiple stab wounds all over his body, each wound so deep I can see his insides. I knew it... I was hoping for a miracle... but... a nurse gently places her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry, sir..."
I leave the room and head back to the lobby. I can't imagine the pain that Lucy is going through as Don's wife... I walk up to comfort her but I can't. I decide to head outside to get some fresh air wherever my legs took me. Don... it was just a few hours ago we had takeout together... I look up from the ground and smile.
"The park again, huh...?"
I find my favorite place and lay down on the grass, looking up at the stars. I take a deep breath. Don's gone, huh. Life is so fragile... I stand up and go where my feet take me. I look up and stop in my tracks.
"The alleyway again..."
5
Not this place again... this is where I had the encounter with that thing. The spider looking girl-
"!"
Wait a minute. Multiple stab wounds... cuts so deep... I counted eight... there's no way... right? There's no way she killed Don...
"Ah! You again, mister."
That voice. I turn around and see the girl with spider arms sprouting from her back. The moonlight silhouetting her menacing smile, the spider arms shining in the night. I get a good look at it and see them covered in blood.
"You... did you... you killed Don..."
"Don? Ah! That old man!"
She grins and clasps her hands together.
"He was a witness. Just like you were, mister. But unlike you, he didn't run away. He instead chose to save my target."
The girl laughs maniacally, her voice echoing in the dark alleyway.
"You..."
My voice dies in my throat. I try to speak but my words don't come out. Not out of fear this time, but out of anger and rage. I clench my fist so hard I draw blood from my palm.
"You... I'll kill you. I'm going to get revenge on Don"
"Aha! You? Kill me? Anna the Arachnid? Dream on!"
I get so filled with rage and anger, by the time I knew it I was running towards her with a clenched fist.
"Anna!!!"
She stands in place with a wide grin, purposely taking the hit to the face but barely flinching.
"Oh no... look at that... I'm still unscathed..."
She grabs my collar and lifts me up with superhuman strength and a wide grin.
"Well then, mister. It's your turn now."
Anna punches me in the solar plexus and I feel my consciousness fade in and out. The blow causes me to slam into the wall behind me, causing me to nearly vomit. I try to take a breath but nothing comes out. Damn... is this the end for me? I can't help but smile. At least I tried to avenge you, Don...
"Goodbye, mister. It was nice meeting you."
Anna smiles darkly as she towers over my slumped form. Ahh. What a lovely sunrise. All her spider arms spread open before focusing it all into one big clump, ready to stab my body.
"You'll have a hole in your body, but at least you'll look lovely."
Anna smiles and goes to stab my body. I was about to accept my fate but I get the strength to dodge, causing her to make a hole in the wall behind me. I somehow get enough strength to roll out of the way and stand up.
"What...? I'm... not hurt...?"
6
I feel... invigorated. I don't hurt anymore. I stand up properly and Anna grins mischievously.
"Wow. You had enough strength to stand up? I'm impressed, mister."
"I refuse to die here. I will get my revenge for Don."
I throw my palm towards Anna and she suddenly gets stabbed through the chest by a sword.
"What...?"
The sword retracts and Anna's knees give out, causing her to cough up blood.
"What just happened...?"
"Damn you..!!"
Anna launches her limbs at me and I instinctively throw both my palms up in front of my face and her limbs lodge into the air. Anna gets confused, so I take advantage of her confusion to run up and throw a punch in her face and this time, she gets launched back and she slams into the floor. I grab her collar with one hand and keep repeatedly punching her in the face. I slam her collar into the ground and raise both my fists up.
"This is for Don!"
I slam both my fists down into her body and for a moment, I feel my hands get heavier and denser. When I pull my fists back, the space that my fists landed was gone. I pull away and see that there is a hole where her abdomen should be.
"Mon...ster..."
Her limbs fade and her body becomes lifeless. I stand up and exhale sharply.
"Don. I avenged you."
Shit... my legs... I'm out of... strength... I collapse on my back with a loud thud.