Luther V. Kane

Leslie awoke, but didn’t open her eyes at first. She no longer felt Roger’s weight on her. She was lying flat on her back now, to whatever extent she still had a back. Best as she’d been able to tell, her body had been one giant curve before she went to sleep.

The table was clear a moment ago. When Lexi looked up from her reading and saw her nemesis, she didn’t hesitate.

“Die! Die! Die!” Lexi repeatedly brought the rolled magazine down on the dark smear that had once been a spider.

The commotion drew Tara to the living room. “Another one?”

“I think I got him.” Lexi slumped back on the couch, panting. The bubbling in her belly faded. She lifted up her tank top; she was visibly bloated but her quick reaction had limited the damage.

Tara sat down next to her and placed a hand Lexi’s exposed stomach.

Ariel laid limp in the lifeguard’s arms as he emerged from the waves and laid her down on the sand. She wasn’t moving.

“This is Chuck, reporting in,” the lifeguard said. “I’ve rescued the subject. Checking vital signs.”

Carmen looked on, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. Chuck leaned over Ariel to listen for signs of breathing, and her eyes opened. She kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks, Chuck,” she said. “A pleasure, as always.”