Holding a broom, I swept the floor of my room when I heard the doorbell chime. Putting my broom away, I went downstairs with my bunny slippers and pajamas and saw Naomi, who was waving at me. She was wearing her pink dress, which almost covered her knees. I gave a small chuckle when I opened the front door and we squeezed each other with both arms. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSjUQAAMLi
"Hey Bugsy," Naomi chirped. "How are you doing?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcLYtorQpQ
"I'm doing fine, pal," I smiled back. "What are you doing here?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXA2jMKOo7
"I'm Inviting you to hang out with me and Ferdinand at the playground, silly. Why else would I be here?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cRW338DtJ
"I'll be downstairs shortly," I rushed back upstairs. "Can't be wearing PJs and house slippers at the park."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77983aIzqq
I went for a quick shower and clad myself in a white T-shirt and blue gingham dress, paired with cream-coloured sneakers. As I walked back downstairs, Naomi was sipping on her latte with Aunt Inara. "I'm ready," I announced. Naomi gulped down her last bit of coffee and thanked Aunt Inara, leaving three one-dollar notes on the table.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6DklH7MI7
"Be careful out there," advised Aunt Inara."
"I will, auntie. I promise."
As we walked out of the coffeehouse, the cool wind brushed against my blonde hair as the flower petals poured from the trees like confetti. As we reached the playground, I saw Ferdinand sitting on the swing, calling our names. Naomi and I ran towards the swing and greeted Ferdinand with a hug. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9bdBeJ80e
"Hey girls," Ferdinand gleamed. "Been waiting for you all morning."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJMkAMcYrx
"You've been here almost an hour," Naomi lightly punched his shoulder. He rolled his eyes as we sat beside him, cross-legged. "So how's your wound?" I asked Naomi. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Id3zQR1Ui
"It's doing fine," replied Naomi, as she unwrapped her bandages, only to reveal blue-black wound on her leg.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSrttwGtta
Ferdinand let out a small gasp and covered his eyes while my eyes widened. "That doesn't look fine, Naomi," I shuddered in fear. "You should see a doctor."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDFI63ACCO
"You're being dramatic, Bugsy," Naomi giggled, dismissing my advice. "I'm in the pink of health, I promise."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD4erj7jvq
He snorted at her lame puns as he took the courage to open his eyes and get off the swing, examining the spider's bite mark. "Is it just me or am I seeing purple fur spreading on your legs?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoNU2DuaWD
I squinted my eyes and leaned my head forward, stroking the unusual body hair on her leg. "You're right, Ferdinand. It looks like a crypt spider's fur. We need to see Mr Hathale."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLFrx8tOW1
"I'm fine, guys," she frowned. "I don't need a doctor."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3kGbvtBP4
Before she took a single step, she collapsed on the coarse ground, unconscious. Panicked, Ferdinand shook Naomi to wake her up, but to no avail. "Don't panic, Ferdinand," I kneel and placed my hands on his shoulder. "We have to take her to Mr Hathale. He'll know what to do."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOzndzd1g1
He nodded and lifted Naomi with both hands, staring at me. "What about you, Bugsy?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ1gAmsXyr
"I'll get her mother," I answered. "She needs to know the truth about Naomi."
"Roger that, Bugsy. See you at Mr Hathale's."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE8ze7eFbX
Wiping the sweat off Naomi's forehead, Mr Hathale sighed as he flipped a thick book and examined her wound on her leg, before staring at us. "How did she get bitten by the crypt spider?" he raised a question.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYRGo4JMRp
"She was fending off the spider," I spilled the truth. "I was attacked by this creature but Naomi saved me instead."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZRqbbjuit
"That was very brave of her," Mr Hathale praised. "It's unfortunate for her to get bitten by this monster."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNWGuATqji
"But you can cure her, right?" asked Mrs Watanabe, who was tapping her right foot non-stop. "I heard from Bugsy that you're the best traditional healer in Slaborough."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUxXJaH0SB
He nodded. "It's true, Mrs Watanebe, however, it's not a simple task to get the antidote."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz16yH8Wfx
"How much do I have to pay?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfIYvVNTXZ
"There's no cost for this antidote, but you'll have to retrieve them from the spider's saliva."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYfxHqOJPR
I squirmed at his remarks. "That's quite gross and frightening at the same time."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8wwtd8eTe
"Is there any other option, Mr Hathale?" Mrs Watanabe asked. "Besides a spider's saliva?" 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRty4yJVXUC
He shook his head. "This is the only way to prevent Naomi from becoming a crypt spider, ma'am."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW3UAdzkC9
"Can you explain more about this crypt spider? I don't really understand at all."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74YkUNknKD
"When the European settlers began to enslave and murder our tribes, the Lord wasn't pleased with their actions, so He punished those greedy white men by becoming crypt spider until the end of time."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6fLgImg7C
Ferdinand's eyes widened. "I heard about how the Europeans committed genocide against the Natives but I didn't know that they were cursed to wander the Earth as monstrous spiders."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmahbdCIPf
"You're lucky you've consulted me at the early stages, otherwise your friend you have been a goner."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDAq7iqN1Z
"Early stages?" I raised my eyebrows. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IDDpoebiz
"The early stages to become a crypt spider are fainting and blue-black wounds, which is easier to cure. The later stage, however, is when she craved for human meat and uncontrollable rage, which cannot be cured at that point."
I nodded and stood up. "I'll get the antidote by myself," I proclaimed, with both hands my hips. "It's my fault Naomi got bitten and I have to fix this problem."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66r3Y2oJP9
"You're not going anywhere, Bugsy," Ferdinand protested. "Not without me."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXduvzGaLts
"I appreciate both your sentiment, kids," said Mrs Watanabe, who jumped from her seat. "But this is too far dangerous for both of you."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xahx9tb7R
"Don't worry, Mrs Watanabe," I assured. "We know the way to the cave."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ajjlPm5uA
Mr Hathale got up and grabbed a glass bottle and a bag of cubed beef, passing it to me. "This is to keep the spider's saliva. Don't lose it. Good luck, both of you."
"Thank you, Mr Hathale," I answered, as both of us headed out from his shop, taking a step onto the pavements.
As he shut the door, Ferdinand and I sprinted across town, bumping into townsfolk. "Watch it," said Dr Yasmin, who was idling outside the clinic. I apologized and eventually caught up with Ferdinand, who was running on the emerald green grasslands, bloomed with the pinkish prairie smokes, fluttering with the wind.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsj7pyk9W0
We entered the forest and was greeted by the multicoloured wildflowers, which were covered by the adorable bumblebees and the dazzling butterflies, collecting nectar. Welcomed by the evergreen forest, Ferdinand and I held hands as we were awed by the beautiful springtime, leaving behind the harsh winter we endured. I took a deep breath as sweet-smelling flowers filled the air, turning my frown into a smile. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ntjjSYIl
If only Naomi were here to admire the beauty of spring. Too bad she's too sick to see all this. "We should get going," I uttered to Ferdinand. "Naomi's counting on us."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp7JQ6Yfi6
Ferdinand nodded. "Nothing wrong to stop by and smell the flowers once in a while, Bugsy."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHqB2sVFFX
"Still, we have no time to waste."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Xpe5Xcux
He rolled his eyes. "You're such a party pooper."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W6jr3bgU9
We ventured deeper in the forest where the colour of the flowers faded and the sunshine in the skies loomed, leaving the trees to turn black. The cool air around us suddenly turned cold as we climbed back to the cave, surrounded by the high-pitched screams from a distance as we saw the sunset from the horizon.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQxWDoPDuH
"Looks like we better hurry," I warned Ferdinand. "Before things get worse."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nJpsXzWBw
He nodded and followed me inside the cave, watching hundreds of bats flying out of the cave into the night skies. As we tiptoed towards its nest, a swarm of crypt spiders was crawling on the wall, watching us. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8X2VNrypC
I gulped as I went closer towards the spiders, pouring the meat onto the cave floor. I took a few steps backwards as all the spiders sniffed the food I brought, and gobbled it up, leaving a trail of saliva. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM7GNH7McC
Ferdinand opened the glass bottle and let the saliva flow inside, before shutting it with a cork. Noticing the spiders battling each other, we turned around and bolted out of the cave as fast as lightning, sighing in relief. "Come on," I panted. "We have to hurry back before sunrise."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvdqiRNTfx
"Right," he answered, before he stumbled onto a rock, yelping in pain. I leaned closer as I inspected his knees, and found blood flowing all over his legs. "Go," Ferdinand's voice strained. "I'll catch up."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBzOFVG0ux
I shook my head as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and lifted him up as he staggered, hissing in pain. "It's alright," I assured him. "We'll get there as soon as possible."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6NL3JcyCZ
"We won't make it back at sunrise, Bugsy," he shuddered. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V2bTtn7SG
"Don't say that," I scolded. "You'll be home in no time."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqOvAX1Iup
We continued our pathways when the cricket's symphony in the forest began to cease, leaving the surroundings silent. All of a sudden, the lantern from the fireflies blew out, turning our surroundings pitch black. A soft lullaby was played in the background, making our spines shiver. The air around us felt bitter as a shadowy figure appeared in front of us, staring.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtsVp0qKrV
"Who's that?" asked Ferdinand, covering his face on my shoulders. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7BomrluS0
"I don't know," I stroked his jet black hair as I glared at the shadowy figure. It slowly approached in our direction and my vision turned black.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgv4FQDXer
"Bugsy," called Ferdinand. "Bugsy, wake up."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNRz1SuT0u
I rubbed my eyes and found myself lying on the grass, dazed. "Where is that monster?" I asked, holding his warm hands. "How did we get here?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRf8lycsIu
He placed his index finger on my lips and embraced me. "It's alright, Bugsy," he whispered in my ears. "We've escaped him."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9xq5uqVN4
"What about you-"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG69tdiNnoG
"We should go," he helped me got up, giving me the antidote. I tightened my lips and ran towards Mr Hathale's Glass Shop, where we watched in horror as Naomi was shaking in a vigorous manner. Handing Mr Hathale the antidote hastily, he slid a drop of the antidote into Naomi's mouth, causing her to lay still on the bed, with Mrs Watanabe panting.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqdhTkJzGS
Minutes passed and Naomi opened her eyes and smiled as Ferdinand and I sat beside her. "Are you okay?" I asked, holding her hand. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwcqXH6RVS
"A bit better, actually," she nodded as she checked her leg, chuckling. "At least my wounds heal."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMeRDHo4gz
Mrs Watanabe thanked Mr Hathale as she and her daughter embraced each other. "I was worried sick about you," she cried. "I'm glad you're safe now."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtRjsyXBW2
Ferdinand and I glanced at each other as we shook hands with Mr Hathale, grateful for what he did back there. "You both were brave," he praised. "I'm happy this incident is over."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKCTtjLhqF
I watched the moonlight illuminating the navy blue sky when Ferdinand approached me. "You're alright?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1pkOPspeq
"I wanted to ask you something," I mentioned. "But you've interrupted me."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbUsBPbMxt
"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" he moaned. "It's been a long, tiring day, Bugsy."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5yygqyLxA
I sighed. "Fine, but you will tell me what happened in the woods."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeacalsHihG
He wrapped his arms around my shoulder and leaned my head on his shoulder. "I promise, Meredith."
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