Gasoline.

Chapter 18: The Eight Legged Creature.

Chapter 18- The Eight Legged Creature.

Unknown number:
Let's hope you stay safe, because just like Alicia, soon you're going to be swimming in shark filled waters.
Stay out of my way, or just like your house, I'll make you burn.

Kisses. :)

I keep re reading the message as my mum and I travel home in the car. "Everything alright, Katie?"

"Yeah, I'm fine mum." I reply, head still focused on the LED screen.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

We carry on the journey in silence, with the radio being played at a barely audible level.

The house is quiet as we walk in, at peace with no disturbances. No disturbances, until I jump backwards and into my mum who's holding a ton of groceries. "Katie! What on earth?"

The eight legged creature sits there on the floor, happy and carefree. I glare at the spider, making sure it doesn't leave my view.

"Mum, get the broom." She sighs glancing over my shoulder to see what's going on.

"Goodness you're a weird child." She mumbles walking to the kitchen. "Leave it alone."

"Mum, where are you going?" She doesn't reply. "Mum! Muuum!" I call out and I hear footsteps coming back into the room.

"Katie you're being so annoying." She says with annoyance in her voice. She holds a glass in her hand and a piece of paper in the other. She bends down towards the creature and places the glass on top. "See no big deal."

"Mum, don't kill it!" I plead. "It's a living creature." She rolls her eyes and swiftly slides the paper under the cup, enclosing the spider. I sigh in relief. "What are you going to do now, mum?"

"Throw it out the window." She gets up, glass and spider in hand and makes her way towards the door. About ten seconds after opening it, and disposing of the insect, she comes back into the house smirking at me. "There's someone outside."

"Who?" I ask. "Grayson lives here but isn't he still in hospital?"
She shrugs, so I curiously make my way to the front door.

"I'm here to return your cupcakes." He smiles awkwardly holding a six pack in his hands.

"How do you know my address?" I question, folding my arms across my chest as I remember the baseball bat by the entrance of my house.

"That er- well, I mean I-." He goes red trying to explain why and how he's at my house. "My name's Ben by the way."

"Changing the subject are we?"

"My specialty." He grins. "What's yours?"

"Katie." I smile. "I feel like we're in pre school."

"Do you want the cupcakes? I made them myself."

"Wouldn't hurts to try." I say as I reach out to eat one. "Unless you poisoned them of course."

"Well there's always that possibility." He grins.  I take a bite out of the pink cake.

"Oh my." I sigh, looking up to his face. "They're amazing." I beam.

"Nice to know, maybe I could make them in future." He chuckles, watching me stuff my mouth with the remaining crumbs. I reach out to grab another, nodding with delight. "Wow you really like them."
I continuously nod, he watches me, laughing. As I look back up, he tilts his head to the side, raising one eyebrow. "Wof?" I make out through my full mouth. I swallow. "What Ben?"

"Nothing, you've just got a bit of icing there." He gestures to the corner of my mouth. Ben watches me make a fool out of myself, shaking his head as I keep missing the spot. "Go like this." He licks his lips. I copy. He laughs.

"What?" I groan. "What's funny?"

"You're so gullible." He grins, nudging me with his elbow. "It's adorable."

"Be quiet." I eye roll, reaching out for the remaining cupcakes. "I'll take these as payback."

"They were for you anyway." He shrugs. "Enjoy."
Ben starts to walk away from me.

"Wait! Where are you going?" I plead.

"Home, Katie it's getting dark." I look up at the sky, feeling a drop of rain on my forehead.

"Wait." I demand, placing the cupcakes in the doorway. I go over to him and stretch my arms out. "Can I have a hug?"

He looks puzzled, but then gives in, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in tightly. We stay like that for a few moments. "Hey Katie?"

"Yes?"

"It's raining. You may not feel it as I'm covering you, but I'm soaked." He mumbles.

"Okay, you can go now." I sigh, releasing myself from him.

"See you around." He waves, walking away from me.

Leaving me in the rain.