User blog:Mauller/Absolution 015

Absolution, Chapter:015


My head was killing me, the sudden blow to my stomach had left me feeling sick. And when I looked down the face of a young girl was looking back.

‘Please don’t put the stone back, I don’t want to be here any longer. She only visits on occasion… I get so lonely when stuck in my box.’

The girl’s eyes started watering before she burst into tears. It would not be so bad, except she started rubbing her snotty nose on my shirt. Wonderful. Maybe this girl is what the lamia were talking about? But why would they be afraid if she was stuck in a box?

Her clothing was peculiar. The majority of it was made of a clear fabric except for the puffy trousers and short shirt that exposed her belly. The strangest part was the number of ribbons and bows that decorated her wrists and hair.

‘Okay, okay. I won’t put it back. But why are you trapped here anyway?’

The girl continued sniffling while holding my waist. She then looked up at me and grinned with a mischievous smile. ‘Because I keep tricking that stupid snakes prey all the time. So she destroyed all the other chests in this place and left this one for me. But even then I kept stealing them away from her icy clutches. Humans are so silly. All it takes is a little water works and they come running.’ Her maniacal cackling sent a chill down my spine.

‘So is that why you jumped me?’

Her smile grew. ‘Bingo! Right on the noggin. And now that I have you I can enjoy you all to myself. That stupid snake won’t be stealing you away from me. Now to just drag… you… erm’ she looked at her legs and wiggled her toes. The innocent smile and little laugh gave away the game. ‘Well, would you look at that?’

‘What? Can’t you do anything once outside your box?’ I grinned at her then grabbed either side of her head. ‘So what was that about being prey?’

‘Ow, ow, ow! Stop rubbing my head like that!’

‘Well what else am I going to do? You just said you were going to eat me in your box!’

‘Ow, ow! Stop! Okay! I’m sorry!’ She started moping and crying again.

‘Urgh, here, have this.’ She looked surprised when I stuck a sweet in her mouth. But the lewd grin she gave me was annoying. ‘And don’t suck on my finger! Just eat the sweet.’

The door squeaked open and the pattering of feet entered the room. ‘What Is happening… who is she?!’ Marie was standing in the doorway, her face was bright red and the fur on her legs had puffed up. It was a funny sight since it made her look like a fur ball.

‘Oh hey Marie, I don’t know, she was stuck in this chest and wanted to eat me.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What! I never said I was going to eat you!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Get off him now! He is with me!’ The spider girl ran at me then picked up my attacker. ‘Now to put you back in here and block the lid again.’ Marie huffed but the box girl had other ideas.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! Don’t just pick me up! And now that I am free I am not going back in that box again! Ever!’ The two started wrestling. The girl from the box had her feet planted on the chests rim while Marie was trying to push her into it. ‘Stop trying to force me into it!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well just go back into your box!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Never!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The two stopped when we heard a loud crunch. They looked at each other and chuckled until the chest gave way and Marie fell forwards. It would have been better if she avoided stepping on me when she lost her balance.

<p class="MsoNormal">I stood and dusted myself down. The other two had ended up in a pile on top of the remains of the chest. The girl from the box started picking up the pieces and crying while Marie held her own arm.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Are you two alright?’ They both glared at me then shouted no in unison.

<p class="MsoNormal">But after Marie checked all of her legs she walked over and grabbed my arm. ‘Let’s go, I don’t want to be here any longer. The other rooms were empty but I found a way up ahead.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl from the box was kneeling on the floor while hunching over its remains. She looked at me and sniffled. ‘She just broke my home… that was my last chest. I don’t have anywhere to go now.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I already felt bad and groaned. Marie looked at me and shook her head. ‘Marie?’ She folded her arms then looked away. The fur on her body puffed up again as she started walking to the door.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Fine, but she is your problem. Stupid boy, causing me more trouble. I just wanted to have some fun. But no, we had to find some idiot who got me stuck down a tunnel.’ She continued grumbling as she walked away.

<p class="MsoNormal">I walked back to the girl from the chest and she jumped when I put my hand on her shoulder. ‘Hey, she is sorry, in a way.’ She looked up at me with big watery eyes again. ‘Want another sweet?’ She sniffled and nodded. So I gave her another one and helped her to her feet.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Thank you… no one has been this nice to me before…’ The girl kept looking down but followed as I hobbled from the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘It’s alright. But, maybe we could get you a new chest once we get out of here?’ I smiled at her and she blushed. Marie still looked annoyed while she stood at the end of the corridor. But she was kind enough to wait for me to hop over to her. ‘Look Marie, I’m sorry. But she is coming with us to the surface. We owe her that much.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I know… it’s just annoying.’ She smiled at me then patted her abdomen. ‘Hop on then.’ I climbed on Marie once more and felt something land behind me. Marie squealed before looking back.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yay! I have never ridden on a spider before.’ I looked over my shoulder and the girl from the box was all sunshine and smiles.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! I never said you could hop on!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘And you never said I couldn’t.’ The girl from the box giggled, leaving Marie to scowl at her. ‘What? You let her ride on your back.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘He! Is a boy and has an injured foot. Now get off!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl grabbed either side of my face and started inspecting me. After a moment she flushed and jumped back. ‘You’re a boy! But! You! You look like a girl!’ She then burst into laughter and giggles before Marie tilted to the side. Leaving the girl to fall from her back. ‘Hey! Why did you do that?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie was holding her hand over her mouth but I could see the grin behind it. ‘Whoops, my leg gave way. Sorry about that.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girl looked up at me from the floor. ‘Are you going to let her do that to me after she destroyed my home?’ I sighed when they both began arguing.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘These two are as bad as Amanda and Lin…’ I jumped when I realised they were looking at me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Who are they?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Just… friends.’ My smile was not cutting it. Marie and the other girl huffed and looked away.

<p class="MsoNormal">The rest of our journey was spent in silence till we made it to the stairwell. The girl walked beside Marie, neither of them looking at each other. But the signal that a break was needed came when a gurgling echoed in the corridor.

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie jolted to a stop and I fell against her human body. ‘oof! What wrong?’ The spider girl looked back then huffed and stuck her nose up.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Nothing that concerns you. Now let’s get-’ the gurgling returned and she squeaked. Her smile was not reassuring as I stared at her. ‘What?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘That was hilarious! It sounded like a monster growling.’ Giggling filled the corridor and Marie’s face flushed. But the rapturous laughter ended when a quieter rumbling was heard. ‘erm… do you have any food?’ The girl from the box smiled and tried to play innocent.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Erm, a bit. But not much.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I jumped when I noticed Marie looking at me, her eyes had gone big and watery. And the sniffling did not help. ‘Okay… you can both have some, just let me down Marie.’

<p class="MsoNormal">After a few minutes we sat on my bedroll with my remaining food strewn across my pouch. The other two were salivating as they looked at the bread and dried meat. The sweets had long gone during the trip. Marie kept elbowing me and making my ride more uncomfortable till I gave her one.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Okay girls, well eat what… you... want.’ I sighed, they were like wild animals. I had never seen someone eat so fast with a lack of proper table manners. Now why would I think of table manners at a time like this? We do not have a table. I shook my head then went to pick up a piece of meat. But the girls snagged it and started fighting over it.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh well.’ The dried fruits and bread were plenty in the end. But the girls left me with nothing for the rest of the journey.

<p class="MsoNormal">I stood against the wall feeling sorry for myself. ‘I know I should have rationed the food between us…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh come on! That stuff tasted great!’ The girl from the box was not helping as she insisted on patting my back. ‘And anyway, if I find a box then I can get some food for us.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie turned to the girl and raised an eyebrow. ‘Get some food? But how? And what is your name anyway? I like to know the names of the people I am insulting.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh yea! Got a problem puff ball! And my names Inka!’ The girls butted heads, but my predicament left me feeling too depressed to stop them.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Girls, please. Let’s just… is that a light?’ We all looked down the hallway. There was something approaching as a melodious singing voice filled the corridor.

<p class="MsoNormal">Inka grabbed our hands and started dragging us into a side room. ‘Hurry, but keep quiet. That is her!’

<p class="MsoNormal">We followed the girl while remaining silent. The door to the room was open but the space behind it was large enough for us to hide. I looked through the gap left by the hinges and watched as the light continued to approach.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Just stay quiet… she will be mad once she finds out that I am free.’ Inka was holding onto my arm, I would have thought she was joking if she had not been shaking.

<p class="MsoNormal">The voice continued to approach, I thought I made out a person when they passed. But the bright light from her torch had ruined my night vision. Although the glow stones in the tunnels provided light, it was only a dull glow in comparison.

<p class="MsoNormal">We all sighed when we heard the door at the end of the tunnel squeak open then closed again.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey, what are you doing with my bag Inka?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I just had a brilliant idea!’ her upper body was rummaging inside my bag. But as I grabbed it to pull it away, her legs pointed straight up and she slipped inside.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey! Get out of… there…’ I looked at Marie and she appeared as confused as I felt. The bag was near empty apart from my bedroll and other belongings. ‘Where did she go? Wah!’ I jumped back when the bag tugged itself closed and remained upright. It started walking around as though someone was inside it.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ha-ha! I am a genius! I never thought I could do this.’ Inka’s head popped out of the bags opening with a huge grin. ‘What do you think of this?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie looked at me before the grinning girl. ‘You mean you made a new home in that bag? I thought mimics could only live in boxes?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The bag slid down and Inka stepped out with a basket of fruit held in her arms. ‘Well so did I, but it appears I am smarter than that.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I think I salivated as much as Marie. Inka near threw the bowl at us when we jumped at her.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">Inkas incessant giggling continued to pester Marie. After the mimics grand epiphany she had decided to ride in my bag while poking out of it. I kept my arms wrapped around Marie’s shoulders while Inka hugged me from behind.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Will you stop it Inka… my ear is starting to hurt.’

<p class="MsoNormal">It was surprising how things worked out, my bag only felt as heavy as before. Even with the boisterous girl it was light enough to sling over a shoulder. The oddest part was how only the outline of my belongings showed below the bags opening.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey, do you smell that?’ Marie stopped and looked back. ‘I think I smell flowers.’ The door ahead was closed but a lot of light was leaking around the frame. ‘Hey, I think the exit may be ahead.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ah, stop hugging so tight Inka.’ I looked back and the girl was staring wide eyed at the door. ‘Hey, you alright?’ She shook her head then looked me in the eye.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I… I think we found the exit. But we have to pass through her home first.’

<p class="MsoNormal">When I looked back, Marie had already made it to the door and was opening it. What was on the other side surprised me the most.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ooh’ I think we were all left in awe. The large room was filled with extravagant furniture and furnishings. Coloured fabrics were draped along the walls while a thick rug covered most of the wooden floor. The large bed was neat and numerous vases contained a multitude of flowers.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I can’t believe she lives here… I thought that stuck up, scheming and back stabbing…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You forgot beautiful.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yeah, beautiful…’ Inka cut out and we all froze. The voice was coming from the door behind us. Marie had started walking into the middle of the room when we arrived. But she froze and the fur on her body puffed up.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well don’t stop now Inka. Please divulge how displeased you are with me.’ The voice grew louder and I felt something tickle my chin. ‘Oh, you brought a pair of cute little toys for me?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I’m sorry!’ Inkas arms disappeared and I felt my bag shift. I could only assume that she decided to ditch us and hide.

<p class="MsoNormal">What do we do with this strange woman behind us? Marie is frozen stiff and Inka has scarpered. I have to do something but my body will not work.

<p class="MsoNormal">The sweet laughter was disconcerting, a hand placed itself on my shoulder and started rubbing it. A quick look revealed slender fingers decorated with fine scales along their back.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hmm, what is wrong sweetie? Don’t you want to stay and keep me company? I get awful lonesome down here, the others treat me like a stain that needs removing.’ Her fingers dag into my shoulder and I could feel something wriggling over my hat. ‘Oh? A little human hey? Now this might be more fun.’ She began chuckling again as she ran her hand up my back. ‘oh my? Happy to meet me as well, this little tail here is very interesting.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I could feel my face warm. That damn tail was a pain and the girls had teased me about it as we searched the tunnels. ‘We… didn’t mean any harm. We were just making our way out…’

<p class="MsoNormal">My legs squeezed Marie and she jolted back into life. Her movements were slow and careful but she started crossing the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh… so another who wants to abandon me? Sigh… what is a girl to do?’ The woman’s hand was still on my shoulder and a strange feeling was telling me to not look back. ‘What if I were to tell you that there is no exit? Would you stay with me then?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie froze and she looked back. ‘What do you mean…?’ her body froze the moment she looked behind me. I could see the light leave her eyes as her body locked up.

<p class="MsoNormal">The woman began laughing and her hand moved up my neck and began holding my chin. Looking up was worse, I could see snakes wiggling over the top of my head. Each of them was watching me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What did you do to her?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh that? Well I couldn’t just let you run away now. And I told a little fib, the exit is behind the door at the far end of this room. But you are never going to leave me now.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Her hand started to pull on my chin. I became more curious as to whom this woman was. But the feeling was screaming at me to not look.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Not wanting to look at me? But we are said to be the most beautiful of the Gorgons. Doesn’t that interest you a little?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I shook my head and closed my eyes. This woman already had me trapped. Things would only become worse if she did the same to me as she did to Marie. The young Arachne was still frozen in place with the same frightened expression.

<p class="MsoNormal">My curiosity got the worse of me. The woman guided my head and I looked back. My view of her was only brief, the fine scales that decorated her face enhanced her natural beauty. But before I could speak her eyes flashed and the world went dark.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">I sat in my safe house while watching the church clock out of the window. My hands had started shaking again when I thought about the vipers nest I was about to enter. This was going to be the toughest job I had ever faced.

<p class="MsoNormal">My chances of escape would be slim when stuck inside the sealed walls. But I hoped the lack of coordination between the different guards would help. All nobles were the same, none of them trusted each other. So they always brought a few of their own men wherever they went. And with the numbers of people going there would be a small military force present.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Damn, this is getting worse the more I think about it.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I held my knife in my hand. The familiarity of its grip helped to soothe my nerves. But not by much. With a deep breath I stood and checked myself in the mirror.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Good, clean and well presented.’ I looked down at the invitation in my other hand and felt my face warm. I shook my head then walked to the door. ‘No, this feeling won’t ruin this.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The door opened with ease, I kept the hinges and locks well-oiled so I could enter and leave without a sound.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Tonight I kill her and free myself from these shackles.’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">I fell forwards and hit my face against the floor. My body ached and my sudden headache was killing me. ‘Ow… that hurt, ahh… my legs hurt so much.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey… Little boy, is that you?’ Marie’s voice echoed in the room, when I looked to the side I found her blind folded and hog tied in the corner. ‘Sorry… I forgot to ask your name before…’ Her cheeks flushed and her body wiggled.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh yeah… it is Martin. Where is Inka?’ The room we were placed in made me think of a torture chamber in a dungeon. Where did that come from? But the chains hanging from the wall were disconcerting.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I think she was brought here. I don’t know, I was blind folded and tied up before I noticed.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I started crawling across the floor towards Marie until something tugged my leg. It appeared that one of the chains was clamped to my leg. ‘Oh.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What do you mean oh?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I’m stuck, she chained me to the wall.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The room went silent until Marie started whimpering. ‘I don’t want to be stuck here, I’m sorry. I just want to see my sisters again.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Marie, I will find a way out.’

<p class="MsoNormal">My bag had to be here. And then I spotted it dangling from the ceiling by a chain. I sighed when I noticed that its opening had been clamped shut. ‘Erm, Inka? Can you hear me up there?’ The bag started changing shape as though something was filling it from the inside. It then started swinging around to the sound of muffled shouting.

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie started chuckling. ‘Oh, what is that I hear? Are you stuck in that sack where you belong? Stupid mimic, that’s what you get for abandoning us.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The bag thrashed about while Inkas muffled voice battled with Marie’s insults. But as I watched, the bag started changing shape again. And I jumped when I felt something tickle my side.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Inka…’ She put her hand over my mouth while grinning. I had no idea how, but her upper body was poking out of my jacket pocket.

<p class="MsoNormal">Although the muffled noises had stopped, the young spider girl continued with her insults.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Shh, this is going to be good.’ The strange girl started rising from my side until she stepped out of my pocket. The fabric looked no different to before and did not seem to stretch when I tugged it. Yet I could swear I saw it stretching wide when Inka poked out of it.

<p class="MsoNormal">I watched as Inka tip toed up to the irate spider girl. Marie was none the wiser as the Mimic walked around her.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘And you are useless and lazy! You should just go hide in a hole somewhere!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh? But if I did that, then how would I set you free?’ Inka grinned at me as she slipped Marie’s blindfold off. The spider girl squeaked and looked up at the mimic. She let out a little laugh before smiling.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, hello Inka. You wouldn’t know how nice it is to see you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls were all smiles until Inka started rubbing her knuckles on either side of Marie’s head. ‘What was that about me you stupid spider? And what do you mean I have a fat butt!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ow, ow, ow! Okay! I’m sorry! Now please untie me…’ Marie started wiggling her tied legs while sniffling. ‘This hurts… and I mean a lot.’ Her legs had been tied together and chained to the wall. Leaving her stuck on her back.

<p class="MsoNormal">Inka huffed then rolled her eyes. ‘Fine, but only If you give me a piggy back.’ The spider girl nodded then everyone froze when the door started rattling.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Quick Inka… hide.’ I looked at the mimic and she looked around the room. A few hooks on the wall allowed her to climb above the door. But she would be seen if the woman looked up.

<p class="MsoNormal">The door opened and the bright light beyond blinded me for a moment. ‘Oh? How strange? You are awake, I never removed my petrification. How odd.’

<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes started adjusting and I could make out the outline of the woman. She looked shorter than I thought, but from what I remembered only one word came to mind.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Lamia… you are a lamia?’

<p class="MsoNormal">A Sweet chuckling echoed in the room and the woman moved towards me. ‘Close, very close, I am one of the gorgons known as Medusa you could say that we are lamia. But we are so much more.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie whimpered and looked at me. ‘Can you untie my friend’s legs, they are hurting a lot.’

<p class="MsoNormal">My sight was still bad, but the woman turned to Marie. ‘Oh? Did I bind them too tight? It can be hard to tell with spiders. But I am not a cruel host, I suppose I can untie her legs. But do not think that I will unchain them.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Once the Medusa slithered over to the spider girl, I looked up at Inka. It was not a promising sight as her legs were shaking. She almost looked ready to pass out from exertion.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘There, now for you little boy. I am going to have some fun tonight.’ The way the woman said it sent a surge through my body. ‘Oh? What a naughty little boy. Shuddering at the thought of what I will do to him.’ She started chuckling while moving towards me. My eyesight was improving by the second, it made it easier to see her face when she held my cheeks in both hands.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Eh? You are just a little girl?’ The Medusa froze and her eyes grew wide. ‘A pretty little girl… erm, I like your hair, It’s interesting.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Her fingers started digging into my jaw while her teeth clenched and her eyes narrowed. ‘Did you… just call me, a little girl?’ Her hair was moving of its own accord and hanging down her shoulders. But the tips started bunching together until snakes began to form out of it. ‘And did you call me pret… ty!’ Her voice broke into a higher pitch and her face began to redden.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well… yeah, the scales around your eyes and on your chin are cute.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘You! You think they are cute?!’ I started to believe that the voice she was using was a rouse. The calm and intelligent young woman was replaced with a higher pitched and whiney teal. She even began hyperventilating and covering her face. ‘I… I need to go… calm down.’ She started feeling around until she touched my face again. Her hand recoiled and she squeaked. ‘You stupid human! I hate you!’ She then slapped me and hurried out of the room.

<p class="MsoNormal">I could not contain my laughter, I watched as she ran down the hallway and disappeared. But lucky for us she had forgotten to close the door behind herself.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Phew… well that was close.’ Inka jumped down and collapsed when her legs gave way. ‘urr… don’t make me do that again. I’m not the athletic type.’

<p class="MsoNormal">I just smiled at the mimic, but both of the girls looked annoyed. ‘What?’ they huffed and turned their noses up. What is wrong with them? I think I will never understand girls.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">Inka had managed to free us after fishing around in my pocket. It still amazed me how she could pull something out of it that I had never put there. But after a few attempts she managed to find something that unlocked the manacles.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘See Marie, who is the best. I am the best.’ Inka was now sat in front of me while hugging Marie around the shoulders. The spider girl was not happy about the situation but kept her promise.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Just shut up Inka, I still have a bad leg you know. And this is harder than it looks.’ The spider girl was walking at a slower pace than before. But the arguing died once we made it to a familiar doorway. The most disconcerting thing was the amount of shouting coming from the other side of the door.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Marie… maybe if you open it a crack.’ The spider girl nodded and moved closer. I think we all felt as embarrassed as each other at the sight we saw.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I can’t believe it! He likes my scales!’ The Medusa girl was rolling on her bed while hugging a pillow. ‘But he’s so annoying! He called me a little girl! I’m twenty five! I just want to claw his stupid face off and rip his tongue out!’ I felt my stomach drop as she hit and bit her pillow. But I sighed when she returned to giggling and rolling around again. ‘But he said I was cute! And he is sweet and looks like a girl.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Her laugher chipped away at my heart. The other two looked at me with amused smiles before spying on the lamia again.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey… I think she just fell asleep.’ I checked through the gap in the door again and she appeared to have stopped. A strange thought came to mind when I saw her body wrapped around the pillow. Her sweet sleeping face was very cute. I almost wanted to be that pillow. But I shook my head and the girls gave me funny looks.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well… here goes.’ Marie gulped and inched open the door. The room was still bright and we had to cover our eyes after coming from the darker hallway. But lucky for us the soft carpet silenced the tapping of Marie’s feet against the wood.

<p class="MsoNormal">We all froze when the medusa snorted and rolled over. ‘Hmm… no, don’t hug me so much… I hate you. Okay, hug me then…’ when she started giggling in her sleep we all stopped holding our breaths.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘That was close.’ I covered Inka’s mouth and she grumbled behind my hand. But Marie continued walking to the opposite door. All that kept it shut was a small catch, so she undid it then opened our escape route.

<p class="MsoNormal">Beyond the door was a tunnel that appeared to lead to daylight. I almost forgot how close we were to danger when I laughed. Both of the girls turned and covered my face as quick as they could. When I looked past their hands and back at the sleeping lamia, she had not stirred.

<p class="MsoNormal">The girls glared at me before Marie left the room and closed the door behind us. And No one spoke until we made it to the end of the tunnel.

<p class="MsoNormal">The sight took my breath away.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh wow, I wonder if that is the city?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Farmland that was interspersed with dense forest stretched into the distance. And sitting in the middle of it all was a vast city made of concentric circular walls. The sun was catching it just right for the walls and largest buildings to glow.

<p class="MsoNormal">Inka got off Marie’s back and stood at the entrance. ‘It is wonderful. I have never seen a place so big.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Marie looked back at me and smiled. ‘It looks magical, the bubble looks really pretty.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Bubble?’ When I looked again I noticed a large dome over the city. I had not spotted it at first but it extended far beyond the walls.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I wonder what that is?’ The girls looked at me and shrugged. Marie sat and allowed me to hop off her back, my foot felt better which surprised me with how much it hurt. And walking to the opening was easier than I thought. But a steep slope greeted me when I arrived. ‘Ah, now how do we get down from here?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I turned and looked at the girls. Inka shrugged but Marie was beaming a smile. ‘I can use my thread, it might be thin but it’s super strong and sticky.’

<p class="MsoNormal">We all began laughing when the spider girl began spooling her thread into a rope. But the laughter cut short when our view dropped. ‘erm…’

<p class="MsoNormal">The following crunch made us all scream.

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