The first disgruntled guard banged on the door, shouted obscenities, and banged some more. More guards arrived, along with another torrent of swearing and slamming on the door. Hinges clattered after each kick, rattling as quickly as my heart thundered in my chest. Fighting the instinct to cover my ears, I planted my hands down, using them to lever the door closed. The crates alone won't be enough to keep them out. I used every muscle to push against the crates.

Spiderzilla froze its weaving. The grotesque monstrosity turned its eight beady eyes on me. Two of its eyes were large and prominent while a smaller eye was perched on each side of its head. The biggest pair reflected the sunlight coming through a small high window as if glowing with bloodlust. The bottom row of four eyes connected to make a permanent frown. If looks could kill, I would be dead eight times. It wasn’t like I wanted to disturb the spider’s mealtime. I grabbed one of the crate lids to hide behind, peeking at the spider through the natural hole in the wood.

Spiderzilla rasped, tilting its head. Shuddering in revulsion, I tried to block the image of the pincer-like feelers grating and grasping towards me.

Next to the feelers, the spider bared its mandible-like fangs. Under the mass of long, brown follicles of hair, the fangs dripped with a clear saliva-like substance. While I stared frozen at them, a single guard tried to kick his way in. It sent vibrations that jostled the crates. The shaking reverberated up my spine while my sweat dripped down. As I adjusted myself, the crate lid fell in a clatter.

The nasty spider spat at me. My arms flung up instinctively, covering my face.

Dripping sweat, I brought down my shaking arms. They looked clean. Nothing clung to my sleeves. But I had a sixth sense, a nauseous feeling, that told me it landed deeper than skin.

That’s when it really hit me. A chill ran up my skin, from my arm to my head, as if the tiny spiders came back. I screamed. My stomach convulsed and I dry heaved right after, hyperventilating. My muscles tightened. My body wanted to curl into a cowering ball. Before I caved in, I grabbed the fallen lid and threw it at the spider.

I effectively… missed. The lid fell with a defeated thud within inches of the spider. What can I say? Panic throws off my aim.