Once we left elementary school, field trips were increasingly rare. However, Mr. Kepler, our science teacher, decided that a visit to a natural science museum was in order when we began studying the topic.
Usually I wasn't very fond of school, where I could never stay focused on lectures, frequently forgot homework, and had trouble sitting still.
But the Pinefield Institute entranced me.
It was a strange choice since we lived in London, with top notch museums of all kinds right near home. Most of the class was curious as to why we didn't just go to one of those instead of someplace in a small town an hour away. However, when asked, Mr. Kepler simply said, "It's a very nice museum."
While the rest of the kids found it boring, our teacher's description was an understatement, in my mind. From its displays of fascinating gemstones to the room recreating prehistoric London to the myriad of ancient artifacts, not from the Azran for once, I was hooked. In fact, I was so enthralled that I managed to ignore all of Hazel's taunts about my hair, which were frequent since we had, unfortunately, been assigned to the same group.
I wasn't ready to go when two o'clock came around. Of course, it was just my luck that Hazel wasn't ready either, though for a decidedly different reason.
"Ugh. I can't believe we'll still have an hour of school left when we get back." I overheard her talking to her friends just before we had to regroup, distracting me from the signpost of a beautiful example of rose quartz. "I mean, this is totally boring, but I'd rather be wasting time here than in gym."
"Yeah." The tallest and more muscly of the three spoke quickly, eager to agree. "It's too bad we can't just stay late and miss the rest of school." She looked at Hazel while running her fingers through her jet black hair, hoping for approval.
The leader looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe we can, Amber." She glanced at our chaperone, who was busy taking care of a boy with a bloody nose, before turning her gaze to me. Our eyes locked for a moment, mine widening with a small breath, hers narrowing with a smirk.
Looking down, I swiftly began to walk towards the boy, who was trying to clot the bleeding while also cleaning up the mess. However, I didn't get very far before I ran headfirst into Amber. I backed up slowly as the other two closed in.
"Thanks, cactus-head."
Before I could react, Hazel gave Amber a nod, and the latter promptly pushed me backwards, hard. I stumbled, falling into the open closet that I hadn't realized was behind me.
"Hey!" Just as I hopped to my feet, the door slammed in my face. I tried the knob, but it was locked. "Let me out!"
There were voices outside, hopefully someone noticing I was gone. I waited, holding my breath, for the door to open, but the noise faded. Not hearing footsteps, I figured my group was still there, so I pounded on the door with no success. Either they had left without me noticing, or this closet was practically soundproof.
I sighed, giving up for the time being, and took in my surroundings. The closet was rather small, with 5 rows of shelves on each wall. The flickering light on the ceiling kept it from being too dark, but it was still rather hard to see much else. So I sat on an empty shelf and waited. And waited. First five minutes. Then 10. Then 15. I passed the time by thinking of my favorite books as I moved about the closet.
Periodically, I could hear people pass by, but only by their voices. Every time I would jump up and hit the door as hard as I could. But even with my karate training, it wasn't enough.
It was after 45 minutes of daydreaming and pacing that I saw it, peeking out from behind a can on a shelf above my head.
I froze in fear, trying to control myself. I kept telling myself that it was okay, I'd be alright. But it started to come towards me, creeping with its huge legs, bringing its hairy body closer and closer.
I managed to keep from crying out, something I'd been working at with Uncle Leon. I took deep breaths, just like I'd been advised, backing as far away as possible. But still it kept coming.
I started shaking, and closed my eyes for a split second. During that moment however, two things happened: At the same time that I heard the knob of the door being wrestled with, I felt eight thin, furry legs creeping up my calf.
That's when I lost it. I screamed, a frightened, high-pitched squeal, and swatted at my leg wanting nothing more than to get it off or, better yet, kill the beast. After a few attempts, I made contact and felt the satisfying smush of it being crushed under my hand.
For a few moments, all I could do was stand there, closed eyes not registering the sudden light, and take shaky breaths.
Then there was a hesitant tap on my shoulder and I jumped. "Gah!" That's when I saw the custodian who had opened the door, and had probably heard a muffled version of the scene. My face felt hot, though my breathing did not steady.
"Thank you…"
"You're welcome."
There was another moment of silence. "What just happened?"
My blush deepened. "Umm...I'm arachnophobic…"
"I see." He scratched his head. "Are you the girl from that school? The one that's missing?"
"Probably." A pause. "I suppose I should find them now. Thanks again."
"Anytime." The man's expression was no less bewildered now than when he had opened the door, but I slipped around him and made my way to the bathroom, thankful to get out of that awkward situation.
After washing my hands and my leg, I went to look for my classmates. It only took me a few minutes to find them.
"Emmy! Where in the world did you go!" Mr. Kepler's eyes widened before his features contorted into a disapproving frown.
"Well...I got shoved into a closet." I brushed a lock of hair behind my ear as he raised his eyebrows.
"A closet?" He shook his head. "Nevermind. I don't want to know." He gathered all the chaperones that had been searching with him, and we made our way to the bus. Hazel gave me a sickeningly sweet smile, which I returned with a glare.
I spent the ride home trying to think of anything but the feel of the monster crawling up my leg. But it just wouldn't go away, and I shuddered every few minutes.
That night, I slept in Nat's room. Even though it had been five years since that first night, he still kept me safe.
Author's Note: I meant to get this out a LOT sooner, but this week has been so hectic... I'm just glad to get it to you at all! Plus, I had a huge case of writer's block about halfway through...
But it's out, and the next chapter is in progress. :)
About the new cover picture, it's something I drew a while ago. I'd been saving it for chapter 11 (At least, it should be chapter 11. ;D) because it's how she looks then in my mind, but I couldn't help myself. ;)
Hopefully there will be less of a break before chapter 10. :D
