Sol Craft Reincarnated

Chapter 25: A Fearful Encounter

As Sol and Althea were cleaning up after their training session, Althea let out a blood-curdling scream. Sol turned around to see what was going on and was surprised to see a small centipede crawling on the floor.

Althea was coiled up on the table, her face red with fear. "Get it away! Get it away!" she hissed.

Sol couldn't help but tease her friend a little. "Oh, come on, Althea. It's just a little bug. Don't tell me a big, bad lamia like yourself is afraid of something so small."

Althea glared at Sol. "I am not afraid! I just don't like them."

Sol chuckled. "Sure you don't. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Sol approached the centipede and carefully picked it up, making sure to give it an extra little wiggle just to see Althea's reaction. Althea watched in horror as Sol held the bug in her hand.

"How can you do that?" Althea asked, still coiled up on the table. "Don't you think it's gross?"

Sol shrugged. "It's just a bug. They won't hurt us if we leave them alone."

Althea shook her head, still not convinced. "I can't believe you're not afraid of them. They're so creepy!"

Sol smiled. "I guess we all have our fears. But it's important not to let them control us."

Althea nodded, still looking a little shaken. "I know, I know. I'll try to be braver next time."

Sol put the centipede outside and came back to help Althea down from the table. Althea's face was still red, but she looked a little more composed.

"Thanks for taking care of that," Althea said. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Sol grinned. "Anytime, my friend. And who knows, maybe someday you'll be able to face your fear of bugs."

Althea rolled her eyes. "Ha ha, very funny."

Sol chuckled, happy to have teased her friend a little and helped her overcome her fear, even if it was just a little bit.