Adventures of Beatrice: Valley of Flames

The spider said, "I'm guessing things didn't go as planned?"

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Fiona huffed and said, "You could say that."

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The spider cleaned a glass with a ratty wash cloth while she spoke, “I'm sure he's fine. He's managed to stay alive for fifty years. Who’s that?” she said, pointing a leg out at Beatrice. Sir Winston scuttled deeper into her blonde hair as the much larger arachnid placed attention on them.

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Fiona looked over her shoulder and back at the spider. She whispered, “That’s her.”

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The spider gasped and dropped the glass. Her eight eyes searched Fiona, asking if it was true. She scurried from the bar top and stood before Beatrice in a flash. She bowed low and said with her raspy voice, “It’s an honor, Miss Beatrice.” As she stood up from her bow, she gasped loudly again. She whispered, “It’s true! There is it!” as she pointed to the locket glowing under her shirt.

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Beatrice pulled it out, casting a bright light in the dull room. She studied the creature before her: a blue widow with purple spots covering her large abdomen; eight skinny, sky-blue legs with dark blue stripes; and big eyes glimmering as she stared up at the girl.

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The old spider grabbed Beatrice's shirt with one leg and tugged, walking her over to a round table. She pulled out a wooden chair for her to sit down and said, “I’m Itsy. Have a seat. They’ll getcha whatever you want.”

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Beatrice sat. 

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“Who's 'they'?”

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Itsy pointed up to the ceiling. 

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Beatrice glanced up. It took everything she had not to make a sound. Her knuckles faded to white as she squeezed the arms of her chair. A thick silk web covered the entire ceiling of the restaurant in a terrifying labyrinth. Blue widows hovered over every table with a pad of paper and pen, ready to take orders. As she stared at the spiders hanging overhead in shock, the one over her table lowered itself and hung by its web just before her face. She held her breath and involuntarily pushed away, knocking her chair over backwards. Fiona appeared behind her in time to catch her.

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“She’ll have the snakebite soup," Fiona said as she took a seat beside her.

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