Primed: A Kayla Madison Story

Primed Part 7

CHAPTER FOUR: FRIEND OR FOE-UH?

My skin prickled with goosebumps as the dagger slightly moved. My legs wobbled beneath me. I felt Spyder's breath on my ear as he said, "You really are intriguing. Shame I have orders to do away with you. I think you and I—"

One minute I was in Spyder's tight grip. The next, I was on the ground.

I wasn't sure what I was looking at. Two dark foggy masses moved quickly in front of me. They appeared to be circling each other. For a moment they slowed down and I saw Spyder and the figure of another man take form, silhouetted against the street light, fighting. I remained on the ground near the fence, trying to comprehend the nonsensical scene and worried the men/dark masses would get me.

Spyder charged at the other man. As they sped up, both men again seemed to become clouds of black in an instant—dashing around the sidewalk, street, even over the construction fence. They moved so fast I only saw blurry impressions of where they had been. Just as suddenly, the dark shadows solidified as their movements slowed. They were inside the construction zone. Spyder was pinned high against one of the walls and his feet dangling in the air. I realized the second man was the guy from the gift shop.

He turned his attention back to Spyder. "Causing tribulations, Maggot?" The gift store man dropped Spyder on the ground but kept a firm grip on Spyder's collar.

"Well, I was trying to do my job until I was so rudely interrupted." Spyder imitated the gift store man's more highbrow accent.

The other man was not amused and tightened his hold on Spyder.

Spyder said, "And must you torment me with your insipid names? What's your excuse for being here, Oh Michael-the-Archangel-of-Justice?"

"Apparently to ensure the cessation of your torment. Why are you here, Stink Beetle?" Michael opened his grip and Spyder plopped on the ground.

"You're not the one paying me, Prudish Chap. So, unless you want to change that arrangement, I've no business with you." Spyder dusted himself off and picked up his weapon that had fallen to the ground. He clicked his tongue a couple of times as he ran his finger over the edge of the dagger. "Look what you did. You chipped my perfectly good blade. It's not as if I can get it repaired at any corner store here."

"Sorry to cause you distress, Boll Weevil. If you are here to harm the girl, you will not be successful as long as I am around," Michael glared at him.

The girl? Seriously? I was apparently worthy of being tracked down and killed and all I get called, "the girl?"

"Oooh! Aren't you the chivalrous one." Spyder puffed up his chest and in a deep voice and superhero-like stance with his fists at his waist and feet apart as he said, "Fear me for I shall protect the girl!" Spyder spun around and pinned Michael against the wall. He leaned in toward Michael and said, "Let me make myself clear, Mr. Goody Two-Shoes. I don't care what your goals are as long as they do not interfere with my plans."

Michael shoved Spyder back with such force; Spyder went flying into the air and hit the side of the newly constructed garage denting the stucco-covered wall.

The geeky side of me wondered if along with having super strength and speed they also had lessened injuries. It was something I was currently wishing for since I was sore from my bike accident.

Even as I watched, it was incomprehensible how they faded in and out of blurry projections whenever they moved quickly. I wanted to leave but my legs felt like they were made of soft tofu. I couldn't budge.

Almost instantly, I was glad I hadn't moved because, in spite of the force with which Spyder hit the building, he got up, shook his head, jumped back over the barricade, and charged Michael. Michael jumped about ten feet into the air from a standing position.