Blood

I could see crimson as Teruma staggered back. I started to step forward Teruma shouted "go to the back of the cave! The arrows" he falls to one knee and coughs deeply "the arrows are poisoned".

Another arrow narrowly misses Teruma, as he collapses on the floor. I ignore his words and quickly run forward, grab his arm, and start to pull him towards the back of the cave.

I slip while struggling to pull him and cut my left hand on the cave floor. I take no notice though, as I continue to try to pull him to safety.

Click, click, click, click. The sound reverberates off the cave walls, causing me to look. My breath catches in my throat as I look at the monster. It has six giant spiny spider legs and the abdomen of a spider as well. His chest is bare and looks to be human. His arms are human-like but much longer than any mans. His face is human except for his eyes. Where human eyes should be, two very large spider eyes are set.

He laughs as he slowly walks towards Teruma myself. I stop pulling, realizing that there is nothing that I can do.

"Trying to move my dinner" he teases as he lifts Terum up by one leg.

"Put him down!" I scream!

He throws Teruma like a doll into the cave wall. Teruma lands with a thud and lays silently. Tears fill my eyes. Please don't be dead, I plead silently.

"You should be looking at me," the spider says as he takes another step closer to me.

"Will you come with me without struggling or should I kill this insect?" He asks as he puts his face right in front of mine.

I fall back in fear and look at Teruma's listless body. "He's still alive?" I ask softly

"For now; that poison will take three days to kill him. I could kill him right now though," he takes a step towards Teruma.

"No!" I scream.

Shaking, I stand up, "I'll go...just" I take a breath" just leave him".

Before I can react, I am covered in tiny strings. They are small and sticky and quickly harden. I'm being wrapped in a spiderweb, I realize. Once I am completely covered, I start to lose consciousness.

"Sleep well, little bug." Is the last thing I hear as I feel myself being lifted and carried away.