long seconds passed before the spider crept down his head, dangling from his ear and dropping to the floor.
The trek continued with agonizing slowness. Legs crawled over Tobias’s flesh like pricking needles, and even the slightest touch sent him rigid. He tried to keep his eyes on the men ahead, though that hardly served as a distraction, as all he saw were fat, black bodies darting over them.
A pinch pierced through him; tiny fangs burrowed into his neck, and he grabbed the spider and flung it to the floor. Dizziness hit him in an instant, the venom already circulating through his system, but what disturbed him more was the rampant scurrying of spiders at his feet.
Milo stared at the mob of scrambling legs. “Tobias—”
“It’s all right,” Tobias said. “Just keep going. Slowly.”
Milo did as he was told, but Tobias struggled to take his own advice. A flurry of spiders zigzagged up his legs, his chest; one crawled up his arm, stopping at his shoulder and digging into his flesh, and a second scrambled along his lower back, leaving a bite right above his ass. Their touch on his skin was unbearable, but he persisted, wrestling with the growing haze of his mind.
Finally, he ducked out of the webs and shook the spiders free from his body.
The lightest touch grazed his back. Tobias spun around, certain he’d have to fight for his life, only to find the Hunter plucking a plump spider from his shoulder.
“The key is to squeeze from the belly.” He crushed the spider, sending a yellow stream bursting from its body. “Keeps your fingers out of reach of their fangs, and forces all of their innards to the outside.”
Tobias struggled to still his nerves. “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind…next time I’m in a tunnel filled with poisonous spiders.”
The Hunter nodded, continuing on through the tunnel, and Tobias did the same, shaking the obstacle from his mind.
The trek through the labyrinth stretched on for miles. Tobias recalled the start of their journey—how the labyrinth was just an empty passage, how the monotony seemed to last for hours—and much to his relief, the remainder of their expedition felt similarly. His body ached and vision blurred, but none of that mattered so long as the tunnel remained stagnant. Milo trudged at his side, his usually plucky face worn, until a light flickered in his eyes.
“Look!”
Just a short stretch ahead was an opening in the tunnel—a rounded room sprinkled with water barrels, wooden benches, and canvas tents.
The sanctuary.
Tobias took in a much-needed breath. He had survived, albeit barely, and that realization was the first joy he had experienced in days. Before he could revel in the moment, a glimpse of red caught his eye—and Milo sprinted toward the sanctuary.
“Wait!” Tobias chased after Milo, grabbing his shoulder and yanking him backward.
“What the hell—?”
“Look.” Tobias pointed at the floor.
The others gathered around them, reading over the painted message:
STOP
Voices sounded behind him.
“What do you think it means?”
“I think it means stop, you stupid ass.”
A chorus of laughter echoed around Tobias, though one laugh was dangerously familiar. He glanced over his shoulder to find Kaleo behind him, and their eyes locked before Tobias looked away.
Minutes passed while the men stared longingly at the sanctuary. It was so close, nearly within reach, but they were doomed to wait just outside it for God knows how long. STOP. The word felt derisive, daring Tobias to move, but he refused to budge.
Restless energy filled the space, as a few men muttered amongst one another, looking for alternate routes. The Regal let out a groan. “This is ridiculous.”
His comrades grumbled in agreement, glaring at the painted word as if it had slighted them. The Poet kept one hand over his swollen eye, the other fidgeting with his spider bites, and glanced from side to side at the other men.
“Do we… Do we just stand here?”
“Want to test your luck?” the Noble scoffed. “Give it a go.”
The Poet said nothing, cowering beneath the Lord’s taunt. Time lazily crept by, the waiting as much a torment as the obstacles themselves. With a sigh, Milo leaned close to Tobias and whispered out of the corner of his mouth.
“I have to admit, I’m a little curious to see what would happen.”
Kaleo shoved Milo, sending him tottering forward.
Tobias froze. “MILO!”
A massive stone block shot out of the wall like a battering ram, smashing Milo into the opposite wall. Blood sprayed across Tobias’s face, splattering his cheeks and dripping down his gaping mouth.