Arachnoblast: I'm Fourteen This is Ridiculous

Chapter 7: Mean, Green Murder Machine

After a very late night fighting crime, Kelsey had fallen asleep in her costume, a mistake she only realized she had made when her dad knocked on her door the next morning. Kelsey awoke with a jolt and scrambled to cover herself with her blankets. "Dad! Good morning! Sorry, don't come in here yet. I'm...I'm naked!" Kelsey called, grimacing at the lie.

"Um, alright, sweetie," came Justin's confused voice from the other side of the closed door. "I just wanted to let you know that I need to get some work done, but I'll be back this afternoon to take you to the Midsummer's Day Festival."

The festival! Kelsey remembered, a smile spreading over her face. The day she and her dad had talked about and planned for weeks, the event they attended every year, had come. Finally, a break from crime fighting and a chance to spend time with her dad. It was going to be an excellent day.

"Sounds great!" she called. "I can't wait!"

"Me neither," Justin replied. "Be ready by noon."

"Got it! Love you, daddy."

"Love you, too, Kelsey." Justin's footsteps receded downstairs and out the door, and Kelsey hopped out of bed to choose an appropriate outfit for the day—one that was comfy, cool, cute, and, most importantly, covered her costume. She settled on a loose, baggy pair of jeans, sneakers, and a thin pink flannel shirt over a high-necked t-shirt that bore the slogan: HEADLINES DON'T SELL PAPES, NEWSIES SELL PAPES. After a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and toaster waffles, Kelsey decided to kill some time until noon by seeing what she could do for the fine citizens of New York City.

The morning was clear and sunny, a perfect day for a festival. Finding almost no crime, Arachnoblast swiftly swung home and was all dressed and ready to go by noon. Justin came home shortly, smiling at his daughter. "You ready?"

"Absolutely!" Kelsey smiled back, trotting downstairs.

"Then let's head out," Justin replied, tossing his keys and catching them as he turned on his heel out the door.

*****

The festival was just as amazing as Kelsey remembered. Right after the parade, there was live music and the scent of various unhealthy but tasty foods filling the air. Kelsey took a deep breath, closing her eyes in bliss. This was the day she'd been looking forward to since summer vacation began.

"What do you want to do first?" Justin asked, surveying the several booths and festivities.

Kelsey tapped her chin, scanning the area. "How about food?" she suggested.

"It is about lunchtime, isn't it?" Justin agreed. "What kind of food do you have in mind?"

Kelsey grinned as her eyes rested on a particular food stand. "Funnel cake!"

"Funnel cake?" Justin laughed. "For lunch? That's a dessert, not a meal!"

"Dad, it's the Midsummer's Day Festival! The normal rules of mealtime don't apply here!"

"You're gonna make yourself sick," Justin replied, shaking his head as he walked with Kelsey toward the funnel cake stand.

"Dad, you know that's not true. I can eat a whole funnel cake and a deep-fried twinkie and get caught in a tornado without feeling sick."

"I guess you know your stomach better than I do. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"I find your lack of faith disturbing," Kelsey quoted with a grin.

Justin laughed. "Alright, alright, we're in line. There's no going back, I promise. I trust you and your exceptional stomach."

"Thank you," Kelsey said with a self-satisfied smile. The two got their funnel cakes and found a nice bench in the sun to sit and talk while they ate.