Spider's Bite
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Matthew Caine sat silently on the floor next to his grandson. The drug that had been given Peter was still in effect. Though Peter's pulse was strong for the moment, he could see that whatever was going on in his grandson's mind Peter was struggling to regain control. The drug-induced dreams may at first started out pleasant earlier, but had taken on a far different cast, and now Peter was struggling to be free of them. Every now and then Peter cried out, his words incoherent at best.
At that moment, Matthew became aware of someone standing in front of him. He continued to stroke his grandson's hair in an effort to comfort him while the person who stood before him spoke.
"The drug is designed to break down resistance. It is also a very powerful hallucinogenic and quite addictive. In the beginning, the dreams he may be having are quite pleasant. Slowly those dreams will change. Eventually, he will die screaming from his own fears."
Matthew Caine's eyes narrowed at the man's matter of fact attitude.
"To do this to a child . . ." Matthew began.
"He is far from being a child, old man," the man spat out. He then reached over and pulled up a sleeve of Peter's shirt. "He is Shaolin and a hated enemy of the sect." Dropping Peter's arm to the floor he rose then signaled. Two other figures came in. "Take him."
Matthew Caine was pulled to his feet, though he was not quite so helpless as they were led to believe. Matthew kicked out, striking one of the two men in the groin. At the same time Matthew backhanded the second man in the face.
"Enough! You continue to fight and the young priest will die."
Matthew turned to see that the man who had spoken to him was still kneeling at Peter's side, this time with a syringe held against Peter's jugular vein.
"Let me remind you who is in charge here."
With Peter's life threatened even more so, Matthew allowed himself to be taken from his grandson's side. It was the only way that might save his life, but even that was questionable with the sect's poison running through Peter's veins.
*Fight them Peter!* Matthew cried out in his mind. *Remember your training.* He did not know if his grandson would hear him. He only knew that he had to try to reach him in any way that he could.
"Take him to the Master," the man stated. "Kai Mow wishes to see him." The man turned back to stare at the stricken Shaolin then rolled up one of the sleeves of his shirt. As he injected another dose into Peter's arm, he said dripping with sarcasm, "Pleasant dreams."
***
The drug hit him like a freight train, slamming him down in the dark with such swiftness. He thought all that he had been given was a simple sedative, until the dreams began. A shapely figure emerged from the shadows and it took a moment for Peter to realize that the figure was Jordan McGuire. But Jordie was dead, shot in the back by Latrodect.
She approached him, alluring as ever. Her touch sent shivers up his spine.
"This can't be real. You're dead."
"Am I, does this feel like I'm dead?" She purred and gave Peter a long lingering kiss to the mouth.
The kiss was so strong Peter could not help but respond. It did feel real. Could he be mistaken? Did Jordan survive the gunshot wound that he thought killed her? He was pondering that question while Jordan continued to kiss him with such intensity and passion. "Oh Jordie, I can't believe it. I thought I . . ."
"Do not say a word. Just kiss me."
Peter pulled Jordie into a strong embrace, kissing her with all the passion in his heart. This was just too good to be true. Then something in the back of his mind tingled of some impending danger. He opened his eyes and suddenly jumped back. He stared into the face that was Jordan's but her body had morphed into the form of a gigantic spider. On the spider's chest bore the mark of the black widow.
"What's the matter, Peter? Don't you want to kiss me?"
Peter screwed his eyes tightly shut, shaking his head. "Now I know this is too good to be true."
"Peter, hold me."
"No way, you're not Jordan. Jordan's dead."
The gigantic spider with Jordan's head reached for him. Peter kicked out but his kick was ineffective against the apparition.
The spider shrieked it's displeasure at the sudden assault and launched itself toward the young priest. Peter tried to deflect the assault by bringing up his arms. As he waited for the spider to rend him to pieces, the creature suddenly stopped and backed away as if it has been burned. It hissed at him then slunk away. What caused the creature to stop its attack? Peter looked at his arms then realized the sleeves of his shirt had been rolled up. He stared at the brands in awe. They appeared to be a bright red. For now, he had protected himself, but for how long?
Continues with Part 7
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2002.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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