Stegodyphus
The walls of a cheap flat were killing her. Corner to corner, floor to ceiling, she hated the miasma of coffee, sweat, and cigarette smoke.
One night, the balcony door was slightly ajar. She crept out when she had the chance. A humid wind tossed the palms that sighed and dipped their long fronds. The moon broke from a cloudy sky.
She tiptoed to the concrete’s edge, raised her abdomen, and spun. Streamers of silk drifted and tugged as they caught on the salty breeze. She clung until the force grew too great then sailed into the night. Destination unknown.
The meta-story. I took some liberty with biology in this story. Stegodyphus sp. are social spiders, and my antagonist was solitary. However, I needed an example of an adult spider that would use this method of movement, and the choices were limited. Primarily, spiderlings are known to do this (i.e. ballooning).
But let’s pretend this particular Stegodyphus female was somehow transported from her habitat and trapped in the apartment, therefore, her discontent and peril. In a longer story, I could show how her goal is to rejoin her colony (nest? swarm of terror?–you really don’t want to see the pictures of group feeding *shudders*).
That night, escape alone was sufficient. And maybe that’s how it would happen. Once she’s free, she can think about how to get home. Or, maybe–and I like this better–risk and the unknown are inherent in throwing her silk on the wind. There’s no logic beyond the need of the moment and the impulse.
Friday Fictioneers: 100-word stories
photo prompt: Dale Rogerson
June 14, 2017 at 12:20 pm
I saw it as a dancer, spinning with veils lifting into the wind. A beautiful vision of freedom and joy. 🙂
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June 14, 2017 at 2:02 pm
Lovely. Thank you.
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June 14, 2017 at 4:38 pm
Beautiful story. Freedom
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June 14, 2017 at 5:16 pm
Thank you. 🙂
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June 14, 2017 at 8:25 pm
I really enjoyed the surprise that she was a spider, and realizing it fit everything so well. I don’t know that much about spiders, but it seemed believable to me, and that’s the most important thing.
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June 14, 2017 at 9:28 pm
Thank you. Very kind of you to say.
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June 15, 2017 at 8:48 am
This was fascinating. I saw this as a woman stuck in slavery and making her escape in a very desperate way. Interesting how different people interpret the same thing.
xx Rowena
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June 15, 2017 at 9:15 am
The ambiguity was intentional. I’m glad you found it interesting.
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June 15, 2017 at 1:50 pm
My first read-through left wonderful impressions. The second read-through, knowing it was a spider, was stellar. Well done! :o)
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June 15, 2017 at 5:04 pm
Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.
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June 15, 2017 at 6:42 pm
I’m with Jellico. I thought of a lovely, small dancer caught up in a breeze. Lovely vision. So is a spider. Most spiders are my friends (K that makes me sound crazy) but I don’t mind them unless they’re poisonous. Then all bets are off.
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June 15, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Thanks for visiting, Alicia.
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June 15, 2017 at 6:43 pm
This was the kind of genre I enjoy. Great writing.
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June 15, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Thank you, Michael.
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June 16, 2017 at 4:31 am
What a wonderful web of words. Delightful.
My story is called ‘Someone’
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June 16, 2017 at 7:37 am
Thank you. 🙂
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June 16, 2017 at 10:15 am
Would never have guessed without the explanation. Ingenious take & thanks for the meta story.
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June 16, 2017 at 10:33 am
I don’t know if that’s good or bad. 🙂 Thank you for the comment.
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June 17, 2017 at 12:50 am
Good, as you wove it very well. 🙂
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June 16, 2017 at 11:27 am
I got the sense of freedom when I read this. When I read the explanation I felt it even more. Nicely done.
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June 16, 2017 at 11:32 am
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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June 16, 2017 at 11:34 am
I appreciate the explanation. Clarified my mental picture 🙂
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June 17, 2017 at 7:24 am
I prefer the ethereal creature my imagination saw. Great description, though.
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June 17, 2017 at 7:27 am
Thank you, Liz. You must not be a spider lover. Though I respect their bite, I think they’re beautiful and their habits mesmerizing. I appreciate your visit and comments! 🙂
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June 17, 2017 at 8:58 am
You took us nicely into a little microcosm of a life. Wonderful
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June 17, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Thank you, Michael. Kind of you.
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June 17, 2017 at 4:03 pm
I *almost* wish you hadn’t given us the explanation. As you can see, we all saw something wonderful without knowing what it was!
Almost, I said, because it was a fascinating read… Like Mrs. Completely, the second reading, knowing she is a spider brings it to a whole ‘nother level!
Fabulous!
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June 17, 2017 at 6:39 pm
Thank you, Dale. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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June 18, 2017 at 11:25 am
I like what you have done here.
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June 18, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Thank you for reading and commenting, and welcome to the blog, Dawn.
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June 19, 2017 at 10:26 am
Well done!
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June 19, 2017 at 11:22 am
Thank you. 🙂
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June 20, 2017 at 4:42 am
Lovely descriptions, Kecia. Here we have ‘jumping spiders’. They don’t just sit in a web, they hunt and assault their prey. I think it’s funny as long as I’m much bigger. The little guys are as bold as brass. They leave me alone and I leave them alone. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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June 20, 2017 at 7:25 am
Are you in Australia?
I also have a truce with spiders. Unfortunately, they’re always creeping over the DMZ, the sneaky buggers. Reminds me of the N. Koreans.
In any case, thank you for commenting. I appreciate it!
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June 20, 2017 at 8:16 am
I’m in Pune, India. It’s in the mountains about several hours drive southeast of Mumbai. 🙂 — Suzanne
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