A Coffin of Web Tied Memories

Warning: the following content contains mention of death

By Charlotte Shum

At the stroke of midnight, the coffin was lowered into the wet, pungent earth. I dipped my head, paying my respects to the unfortunate boy while trying to avoid the other guests. I prayed for young Benjamin and hoped for him to meet my own dear child in heaven. Suddenly, light footsteps skimmed the wet grass at my side. Immediately, I stepped away from the grave, and the rotting, headless corpse that lays within.

"Margaret Balliol is it? I've seen you near the town square a couple of times. I didn't expect you to know my little Benny," said a melodious voice on my right. "Mrs Balliol?"

"Yes, yes that me," I replied, quicker than usual. "And you are?"

"Julia, his mother."

I spun around, nearly slipping on the grass. The woman bore a strong resemblance to the boy. But unlike him, she had luscious golden locks and a body so fragile that it seemed the wind could snap her in half.

My eyes teared up at her appearance while recalling my own child's death. The sunken eyes and the quiet, quivering voice were all too familiar.

"Oh. My condolences. Well, I better get going," I said hastily. Feeling a rush of grief and distress, I tightly grasped my black umbrella and stepped across the graveyard, away from the pitiful gathering and the terrible, terrible memories.

The trip back to my residence was short but remarkably vexatious. Instead of using a carriage, I approached my humble abode on foot. The constant pitter-patter of the rain and the sogginess of my grimy patent leather shoes was unbearable. Eventually, I approached my aged residence.

Although the house was tiny, it was menacing. The windows were tied down with rope, and a vigilant raven perched on the roof, eyeing the occasional passerby. I took out my key and unlocked the worn door.

The door creaked open. Though as I walked in, I noticed a peculiarly shaped thing in the corner of my eye. Cautiously, I turned my head to inspect it, but with a blink, it was gone. What was that?

Deciding to explore further, I lit a candle and wandered towards the chair the shadow appeared on top of. A web had been weaved between the crooks and crannies of the three-legged chair. I gasped.

Confused and anxious, I decided to leave the chair be and retire to bed. I slowly moved away from the chair. But something held my leg. Looking down, I saw a thick white string was wrapped around my ankle. Spider silk. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came out.

Trembling, I reached down and tried tugging on my leg to free it. It didn't work. My eyes widened in fear.

I could now hear a low purring sound, from right behind me. I yanked. I scratched. I pulled! My ankle, now leg, was still stuck.

The purring only grew louder, louder, and louder. I desperately pulled on my leg. Then, I closed my eyes and realised the best option left.

"Stop, get out of my house!" I shrieked, twisting around in haste.

In front of me stood a towering, monstrous eight-legged creature.

Terrified, I shut my eyes to avoided gawking at its unholy form.

The creature ignored me, and once again, it pounced. With a deep breath, I yanked the web as a last resort.

The web finally snapped, and I tumbled towards the staircase, narrowly avoiding the battered monster.

Not turning back, I ran up the stairs. Sweat was running down my forehead. Then, I heard the monster growling from the living room. My heart pounded with fear.

Carelessly, I slammed open my bedroom door. I promptly rushed in and locked it. The creature's purrs were still audible but were much softer now.

The room was disorganised; a stack of black dresses laid on the grungy bed, nearly falling off. On top of the antique dresser was a cup of black tea, though it seemed something was swirling within it. Next to the dresser was an open window. Outside, a line of trees swayed with the howling of the wind.

Gulping, I shuffled towards the window. Below was a set of bushes dimly lit by the glow of the Moon. Lifting a leg over the ledge, I noticed that the cup of tea was darkening.

With a blink, the creature reappeared in the corner of my eye.

I slowly turned my head. And as the room was illuminated by the moonlight, I could look at the creature better.

It had a thousand heads. Human heads. With one of them being...

"Benjamin."

The creature roared. It stomped its seven legs on the splintered floor. A feeling of terror slithered up from the pit of my stomach.

"Adi-Benjamin, I'm sorry son. But if we could civilly talk-"

On the spur of the moment, one of the hacked heads shot out a strange liquid unlike the silk from before.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I truly could not. No sound came out. Soon, I was soaring above the ground, and into one of the beast's many mouths. Soon becoming another part of the spider, another thoughtless head with only a need to eat and destroy.