Molt's POV
Molt had a mind to keep close to Emerald ever since Hopper told him that he had to leave with them. Yet there was something heavy that was bothering him. First of all, it was the fact that Flitter was dead …

He knew Hopper cared about her as well, and her babies.

At this point, when the flock had come upon the black river to cross, Molt instantly picked up on his brother's familiar scent. Thinking that he was close… Molt strayed away just a little bit to see if he could locate him, which brought him a lot of trouble. Molt found himself all alone, rather quickly. Which made the poor grasshopper panic. Although he knew this was due to his own mistake, Molt did what he knew best and went to search for water. Little did he know that there were insects in these parts who hungered for others, in the shape of webs.

"O-o-oh gosh! This was a bad idea!" he trembled.

As soon after he landed, something was spat at his leg and he found that he was trapped by a net of silky white webs. He shook and tried to back away from the sticky substance, but he knew he was in grave danger. The birds were gone… and so was Hopper.

"Look over there now… A little snack for me." spoke a disembodied, soothing, tender voice of a female.

Molt gasped when he saw a six legged black widow. Simply dark and beautiful, she seemed to float down and looked through the net of her own web. Her green eyes lit up with glee.

"My patience has paid off." she chuckled.

"NO-no! Please! Please! I-I didn't mean t-"

"Don't you worry, little grasshopper. This won't hurt a bit."

"PLEASE! Please — I was just looking for my brother!"

"Oh? There are more of you?"

"No, no, um!"

He had to think quickly.

"Th-there's a bird! A bird, yeah! Ya shouldn't eat me. Nope. Ya shouldn't!"

"I think I should, dear. I've been waiting for a catch like you. I can't pass this one up, you know."

"Y-yeah, yeah I understand but ya wouldn't want me… because look!"

As a demonstration and out of desperation, he began to pick and rip off bits of his own molting skin.

"See? Ya see? Haha… I'm not that healthy… And there are birds out there who know me. Ya don't wanna -O-o-oh no, I am going to die…" he trailed off, seeing that his rambling wasn't working.

As he backed up against the tall grass, he was able to spot a small opening nearby. He had a lot he wanted to live for. Hopper made a promise and who knew what would happen if he found out he was dead…. Flitter would want him to try. His captor saw the approaching tears in his eyes. Sensing her prey's broken spirit, she inched closer.

"Oh, my dear. You've truly been through something, haven't you? Don't you worry, it will be all over very soon."

The widow shot a claw at him to grab him.

"Whah!" he yelped, making a direct leap through that narrow escape.

She nearly got his leg, but he slipped away and immediately started flying again. Free, he perched and held onto a tall weed limb. Panting, he dared to look down at where he almost met his death. The widow peered up at him, dismayed. Molt felt his heart beginning to break all over again, that the widow acted like she cared. But he was only a meal to her. It made him wonder if he was really, truly alone …. The widow watched her missed meal fly away as she slunk back into her little burrow behind the net of web she tried to trap him with.

(Hopper's Narrative)

There was something going on in this new part of the meadow I just crossed over to. Quite literally, the grass was greener on the other side, only backwards. When I thought it was too exhausting to fly in this heat already, there was barely enough water in the blades and leaves anymore. Ever since the flock departed, things didn't seem to get any better. No doubt, I could feel my heartache gain up on me now and again. Flitter's image kept flashing in my memory and I couldn't shake it. It was like a permanent mark. What drove my senses crazy was not only the hornets, but my brother. I flew over the blades until a certain spider's web had caught my good eye. I expected right off that I was going to met with something grotesque, but I had to check it out for myself. There was one lonely piece of shed exoskeleton right at the base of this web, which was awkwardly placed among the dry grass. I scooped it up into my claw.

"How? How can it…" I whispered to myself before I was disturbed.

I heard one noise from the grass. A chill ran down my back and my wings begged to flutter.

My antennae perked up and in a blink of an eye, I flew to the top of one of the tall weeds. My instincts were correct when I suspected a killer nearby. Right in front of me was a rather big, but beautiful black widow spider who was now looking up at me, as I was eying her down. I went silent. I knew what was on her mind. I wanted her to have the first word.

"Don't jump away." she mocked compassion, rather well. She smiled. "I won't hurt you."

"Clearly, I'm not stupid as some may think." I shot at her. "It's because I'm a grasshopper. Isn't it?"

I threw that same mockery she gave me right back, spreading all four of my arms out as if this was some kind of passerby greeting.

She wiped that smile right off her pretty face. Good.

"You'd talk to a predator that way? Even to a starving one?" she hissed, climbing a little higher.

"It might be the very last thing you'll ever do, grasshopper."

If this black widow had done something to Molt, I would make sure she would never smile like that again. I had to make her confess or say anything that could lead me to him. I had a pretty good idea of how.

And he had better be alive… I thought.

First off, I had to be careful with my words and my movements. She looked about ready to jump at me. I lowered, ready to leap but I had something to say.

"I'll make you a deal." I began. "If you would just listen to me and not sweet talk me, maybe we can start over. Because I really think we got off on the wrong foot here."

"You expect me to just listen to a cowardly grasshopper?"

"No. First off, it's something called mutual respect." I simply stated. "Secondly, that misconception is getting a little old. There's a difference between being smart and your definition of cowardly."

I was as blunt as could be and she seemed to get the point.

"You're not like other ones."

"No, just smart. I know a thing or two. So … do we have a deal or not?"

"What's in it for me? I don't usually make pacts with meals." she hissed.

I smirked, patiently holding my claws behind my back. Either she was desperate or she actually had a brain other than living on instinct.

"If you answer my questions with honesty, I will make it up to you. With meals." I brought up, casually pacing along my perch.

"Oh?" she slowly began to smile as she kept her deep green eyes on me, hungrily. "… and how are you going to pull that off?"

"I have ways, ma'am. Perhaps it's because I have a score to settle with someone. They ticked me off and I'm trying to get to the heart of the issue."

She crossed her arms, in a pout, knowing that she was stuck. Perhaps, I could fly off and she would be left with nothing or she could agree and get something out of it. I crossed my own arms, waiting for an answer.

"… fine, grasshopper." she sighed. "What have you got in mind?"

I had her. Oh, I had her now… Now to start the fire.

"Let me ask you something. This is question number one. You got me? I've been on the run for two weeks now, on the trail that has been driving me nuts. Now, have you seen a single hornet in these parts? I want to know every detail about them if you did see one. Every detail."

She bit her lip, already on the spot and she didn't want to answer. Her reasons were unknown, but I had her. We had a deal. I rose a brow, silently warning her.

"I asked you a question."

"Fine. I saw several. Only several for the past two days." she drawled, like a spoiled brat. "They were yellow and red and very fast. I tried to catch one but he got away."

I nodded, silently a little relieved that I wasn't confused and on the right track.

"Okay. Question number two. Have you seen or have talked to other grasshoppers lately? As I can see, this is no place to put a web. I mean, a lizard or a snake can just tear through this thing with no problem. If I were you, I'd stay in the trees or bushes or something."

"Oh look, the smart grasshopper knows everything!" she growled, sarcastically. Quite honestly, it made me laugh.

"You got it, honey." I smirked.

"Yes, there was a grasshopper here. Not long ago. I could've had him too if I spotted that little escape he took."

I instantly hoped it was Molt.

"Oh really?"

"I threw this web at him, to trap him. As you pointed out, yes… it was not a good idea. What would you do if you've been waiting to eat for a week?"

"Well, I am very sorry." I replied, matter-of-factly. "But don't think you're the only one who's starving around here. Coming from a shaky neighborhood, at least I figured out a way. Me, a cowardly grasshopper, for one. I see you're in good standing yourself. Perhaps you shouldn't just stay in one spot, hiding."

"What would you suggest?" she snapped. "Since you're clearly an expert."

"You gave me what I wanted, and so I will keep my promise. I will ask one more question and if you give me the right answer, I'll give you a few pointers and some food to tide you over."

Her sharp green eyes slowly softened into that of surprise.

"You would do that?"

"I do keep my promises." I stated.

She tore a piece off of the ruined web and it fell half way. She sighed and nodded.

"Which direction did this grasshopper fly off to?" I pressed in.

"He went west." she pointed out, looking towards my right. "That's all I can tell you."

"Are you sure?" I tested her. If she lied, she was getting nothing.

"Yes. I am sure. You've made your point clear."

"Well, that's good then." I said, standing back up. "Thank you very much for your cooperation."

"You better keep your promise."

"Oh. I plan to, honey. Here's a little suggestion. If you relocate your hunting spot to that tree … " I pointed it out for her and she saw where I was pointing. " … then trust me, you will not be disappointed."

"All right… Fine. This better work."