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. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ159RFxnB4Q
"Hey Bugsy," Naomi chirped. "How are you doing?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDZwVbu0O4
"I'm doing fine, pal," I smiled back. "What are you doing here?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR6OyOfBqZ
"I'm Inviting you to hang out with me and Ferdinand at the playground, silly. Why else would I be here?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyolNGvpo8J
"I'll be downstairs shortly," I rushed back upstairs. "Can't be wearing PJs and house slippers at the park."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzjlqbbhoN
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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84ceeOti60
"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. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxptNR7USa
"Hey girls," Ferdinand gleamed. "Been waiting for you all morning."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9Qpzudj5q
"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. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5nQf9MK5s
"It's doing fine," replied Naomi, as she unwrapped her bandages, only to reveal blue-black wound on her leg.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rrXS5t9vb
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlNGjCZWlt
"You're being dramatic, Bugsy," Naomi giggled, dismissing my advice. "I'm in the pink of health, I promise."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw72KWGS5C8
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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EmsHfxaTP
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRD11cesG4
"I'm fine, guys," she frowned. "I don't need a doctor."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaikNbBuKkg
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9BV26dthx
He nodded and lifted Naomi with both hands, staring at me. "What about you, Bugsy?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a1PmUd3ro
"I'll get her mother," I answered. "She needs to know the truth about Naomi."
"Roger that, Bugsy. See you at Mr Hathale's."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUv8BzQNBn
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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKy3CE7ixI
"She was fending off the spider," I spilled the truth. "I was attacked by this creature but Naomi saved me instead."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHoMR6Uw68
"That was very brave of her," Mr Hathale praised. "It's unfortunate for her to get bitten by this monster."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4jWlOYnGK
"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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD7XvHpMfs
He nodded. "It's true, Mrs Watanebe, however, it's not a simple task to get the antidote."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8wRXn0rrI
"How much do I have to pay?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D02T4m2ut
"There's no cost for this antidote, but you'll have to retrieve them from the spider's saliva."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC4u7GOCaC
I squirmed at his remarks. "That's quite gross and frightening at the same time."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQU9rBanUj
"Is there any other option, Mr Hathale?" Mrs Watanabe asked. "Besides a spider's saliva?" 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSklLQ7r6f
He shook his head. "This is the only way to prevent Naomi from becoming a crypt spider, ma'am."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscerPrHPgc
"Can you explain more about this crypt spider? I don't really understand at all."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqZUSvR9P2
"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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe1vXYSNy7
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U4UqgPPtA
"You're lucky you've consulted me at the early stages, otherwise your friend you have been a goner."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SgOsA0m7p
"Early stages?" I raised my eyebrows. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i4D2Vm82p
"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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTOOL6vodw
"You're not going anywhere, Bugsy," Ferdinand protested. "Not without me."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheoPXJg5qa
"I appreciate both your sentiment, kids," said Mrs Watanabe, who jumped from her seat. "But this is too far dangerous for both of you."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjYqmhy714
"Don't worry, Mrs Watanabe," I assured. "We know the way to the cave."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPiSI4X4RW
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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHNTn2Rnwn
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. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmBYnpikV9
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqIwkxY25y
Ferdinand nodded. "Nothing wrong to stop by and smell the flowers once in a while, Bugsy."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6IviziBca
"Still, we have no time to waste."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFLrRkxf93
He rolled his eyes. "You're such a party pooper."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1D102l4XT
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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJmvGzaHe9
"Looks like we better hurry," I warned Ferdinand. "Before things get worse."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9INVJRChjA
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. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRsTG7jJt2
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. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZooVyx3HB
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzBKwSVlQc
"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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxTsCDDjXk
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16vdQqLIPS
"We won't make it back at sunrise, Bugsy," he shuddered. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItay6inpPJ
"Don't say that," I scolded. "You'll be home in no time."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2VrHnNbRY
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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghWsXc7lzT
"Who's that?" asked Ferdinand, covering his face on my shoulders. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FoOPUAlgg
"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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74WxJGDtip
"Bugsy," called Ferdinand. "Bugsy, wake up."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEceZDOqlk
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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrymIPH4gc
He placed his index finger on my lips and embraced me. "It's alright, Bugsy," he whispered in my ears. "We've escaped him."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWKjHCpqrF
"What about you-"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXlNSQf5q2
"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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7NngxBz10
Minutes passed and Naomi opened her eyes and smiled as Ferdinand and I sat beside her. "Are you okay?" I asked, holding her hand. 525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HQQhXSd1Z
"A bit better, actually," she nodded as she checked her leg, chuckling. "At least my wounds heal."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigzJFvluDS
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rFm6mfVur
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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbh0wdNR9f
I watched the moonlight illuminating the navy blue sky when Ferdinand approached me. "You're alright?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gWaBRm5X2
"I wanted to ask you something," I mentioned. "But you've interrupted me."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8rumzp3mk
"Can we talk about this tomorrow?" he moaned. "It's been a long, tiring day, Bugsy."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkK7Rm6Joq
I sighed. "Fine, but you will tell me what happened in the woods."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR9X77JMjX
He wrapped his arms around my shoulder and leaned my head on his shoulder. "I promise, Meredith."
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