STORIES

I couldn’t see the shape of it but Nickel must have smelt it because he pushed through the rusty screen door and bolted into the smoky night. Dad hobbled across the kitchen, his hands trembling as he pawed for his rifle. He slid two cartridges down the breech and jammed the bolt forward. Sweat beading his neck, he reached for the flare canister. 

It felt like forever before we saw the path forming through the sheaths of wheat; a beefy form lurching through the field, moving quickly toward the house. 

Dad sucked at the air. “Something’s coming,” he said.

Staff Sergeant Lloyd Broadview let out a weighty exhale and turned back to the farmhouse window until something grabbed his attention. His breath caught in his throat. 

“Randy,” he said slowly. “Was there a light on in the barn when you drove up?” 

“Not that I recall.” 

“This son-of-a-bitch is toying with us,” Lloyd said, reaching for his revolver and rushing from the room.

Marvin’s gaze took the whole girl in, his eyes moving up her short skirt and resting on her full chest. A crooked grin parted his weathered face. 

“Would you like to see other tricks?” he said.

Michelle stood silent, a soft blush spotting her cheeks. She pulled a fallen bra strap up over her shoulder; gently placed one hand at her throat. 

“Don’t be shy,” Marvin said. “Come in. There are lots of things I can show you.”

Andrew peered into the closet and saw a flutter of movement. At first it appeared the boy’s shoulders were quivering, a slight bounce to them. But as he focused, he noticed the movement wasn’t from the boy but rather something moving up from behind. 

Officer Lawson jerked the flashlight as a fist unfurled atop the child’s shoulder, red liquid streaming along the palm and fingers. 

It wasn’t the boy’s eyes that blinked, but a second set, flicking back and forth behind the chair. 

Lawson staggered and screamed but the creature was already crawling over the child and out of the closet, its limbs bent and arachnid.