Drider Family Part 4

Jamie wiped the sweat off her brow. She left her palm on her forehead and shook her head to clear her head from the voices of her stomach. She glanced back to the ranger with new eyes, ones of empathy.

"No, I can't." She said with resolution, "I should take him to Mom and Dad. They'll know what to do."

Twilight was falling as Jamie picked up her captive up placing him across her abdomen like she has done with deer his head to her right side. She placed some webbing around him to reinforce him on her. Her eyes quickly adapted to the darkness as they did when she was in the cave. She then took him over to a creek and cupped water with her hands then poured it over his forehead hoping it would cool him down. Next, she carried him home with gentle grace in an effort to prevent further distress on him. Sure he was as limp as a wet rag, but she knew that he could still see. She feared that moving through the treetops might cause terrible motion sickness.

The drideress made it home and checked the cave. She cursed when she saw Mom and Dad were not home. She took the cocooned ranger and placed him in the larder against the wall securing him further with additional webbing so he would be nice and still. She sighed, "I'll be back, just breathe and stay calm."

Jamie left the larder trying to ignore his weak cries that her web gag turned to slight squeaks. She knew he was scared. She was scared when Mother caught her and wrapped her, she never felt so helpless. However, those feelings evaporated when Emilia showed her compassion. In that moment, her helplessness changed to snugness. This was not the case with this fellow. If he did not consider them a threat prior to her webbing them up, no doubt he does now. She stood guard over the larder hoping that Mom and Dad would come soon. She did not want to hold the ranger too long in case the other humans started a search for him.

---

Emilia, still garbed in the web dress that Jamie weaved for her, and Arch strolled back to the larder Emilia detailing to Arch much of what happened with humanity since he became a drider. He seemed especially interested in twenty first century technology like computers and cellphones. Considering Arch's mind was stuck in the 1950's, such concepts sounded as unreal to him as something out of Star Wars (which Emilia reminded herself would be equally alien).  Maybe on a story night she oculd tell Arch some stories from movies or books since she has already told him near everything about herself.

Both driders were confused when they saw Jamie waving to them from the mouth of the larder. They kept going, but added a briskness to their pace. Arch said to Emilia as he waved back to Jamie, "I'd love to know more next chance we are to ourselves."

Emilia nodded while looking to Jamie in concern. Why would Jamie be drawing attention to herself in such a manner? The two driders made it to the larder Emilia placing her hands upon the apprehensive Jamie's shoulders, "What's wrong Jamie?"

The younger drideress hesitated. Arch came closer with a look of reassurance, "It's okay hun, we promise we won't be mad."

"Well… I caught a person." Jamie replied in a manner that reminded Emilia of a teenager who hoped confessing would lessen the punishment.

The returning driders were astonished. Emilia found herself rendered speechless, and Arch went past Jamie to enter the larder. Jamie went after him, "Now, Dad, I can explain!"
Arch kept going until he laid eyes on Jeff. Upon seeing the stranger, Arch's disposition soured. Emilia was astounded. It felt like ages since she has seen a human. The human regained his senses and started to shift in his cocoon at the sound of the driders returning. He did not attempt to shout knowing the gag rendered it futile, but the grunts from his strain did resonate through it. When the horrifying realization struck that he was completely immobilized in a monster's lair, his struggling ceased.

Jamie stepped between Arch and the human protectively. The paternal drider's gaze softened at her concern, "I assume it was an accident."

Jamie nodded appearing very distressed her hands folded in front of her, "He disturbed my web, and to his credit was honest that he was going to tell people. I couldn't just let him."

Arch hugged her neck. Emilia thought this was humorous because of Jamie's height over Arch. The patriarch comforted the distraught drideress, "It's fine honey."

Emilia nodded in relief thinking about all the other ways this could have played out. Overall, this was the best outcome, "Yes Jamie, you did good."

Jamie allowed Arch to go past her. She watched as her father spat out two globs of webbing, and used them to cover the ears of the ranger rendering him near deaf. He whimpered and squirmed for only a moment or two then returned to silence.
Arch turned back to the drideresses, "Family conference time. We need to agree on what to do with him. "

The two drideresses and the patriarch joined in a huddle outside the larder away from the ears of the human. Emilia stroked her chin in thought, "There has to be a way to let him go and resolve this."

Jamie crossed her arms as she deliberated, "If we let him go, he might appreciate it and not say anything."

Arch sighed, "We should eat him."

The drideresses' mouths hung agape. Emilia looked at Arch in disbelief at the consideration of this, "Are you crazy?"

Arch shook his head his voice carrying the weight of an individual who has survived many winters, "Hear me out. If he tells or is tricked into telling others of our existence, then they will investigate. To avoid eating the investigators, we'd eat him and leave the larder. Less risk involved."

Emilia mulled that over solemnly. They say the needs of the many outweigh the few.
Jamie could take it no longer, "No, that can't be the only way. We get it, if he tells it's bad for us. Couldn't we make him a drider?"

Arch shook his head gravely, "It would be a strain just to keep the three of us constantly fed without drawing unwanted attention. Adding another will starve us."

"If that's the case," Emilia said, "How about we just… let him go and hope for the best?"
Arch frowned, "How do we know he won't rat us out?"

"Ask him nicely?" Jamie answered with naivety.

Arch chuckled resting his head on his palm as he shook it, "I suppose it's worth a try. If he keeps being difficult or showing any sign of deception, he stays. I won't let anything bad happen to you two."

The drideresses drew Arch into a big hug. Emilia nuzzled his cheek, "We know."

Jamie bit her lip, "Alright, let's try it."

They then went back to the human. Emilia went up to him first and took off the ranger's gag and webbing covering his ears, "Hey there, sorry about all of this friend."

The ranger's breathing was shallow but not rushed. Either he adapted to his situation, or he just got over the venom. He was having a bad night either way.

Emilia worked for a disarming smile, "Well, we'd like to talk."

"About what?" The ranger asked trying to reign in his exacerbated tone.

"What happened?" The matron drideress replied, "We can tell that you did not hurt Jamie, but how did you two cross paths? Oh, and tell us about yourself. My name is Emilia."

"My name is Jeff. Well, you see…" The ranger started carefully pondering over his words before he spoke them. He still kept his eyes on Emilia, "I was on a routine check up making sure everything was like it should be. And then, J.. Jamie is it? She caught me and brought me here wrapped like a burrit... well, you know"

Both drideresses failed to suppress her amusement at the comment, "Alright."

Arch was confused but shrugged and glanced over to Jamie, "Is that the way it went love?"

Jamie nodded. Arch looked her over with the eyes of compassionate judgment. Jamie caved a bit, but remained silent. Arch shook his head still smiling and turned over to the human strolling closer to him, "I see no reason not to let you go, but I will."

The drider grasped the ranger's right shoulder tightly. Jeff froze like a startled rabbit. Then the drider whispered into his ear, "Do not thank us until you have covered for us and you are safe in your bed. Do this, and I will owe you a favor. If you put my family in jeopardy for your own gain, nothing will save you from my wrath."

The grip left the ranger's shoulder, "U... understood."

Arch smirked and cut Jeff free, "Good, now get out of here. Don't make me regret letting you go or you'll find yourself back here."

Jeff could faintly make out a wicked smile in the moonlight. He stifled a squeal and walked towards the cave exit where the moonlight came through with Jamie following him. Once they were out in the woods, Jamie pointed out the trail he needed to follow, "If you follow the main trail to the creek and turn right you will find a main path of the park."
Jeff stretched a bit happy to have motion back after being confided like that, "Alright. Thanks. I trust you guys will be able to co-exist in the forest. However, if anything happens to anyone and I find out you guys are responsible know that I have a duty to protect the people who visit here."

Jamie held up her hands defensively, "It won't we assure you. In fact, our place here could prove beneficial to you down the line."

"Bye Jeff." The spider woman that caught him said with a wave. Jeff waved back as he went downhill following the directions he was given. It was challenging to travel at night, but he had experience so at least he was not stumbling through the brush too much. As he made it to the creek and turned right, he thought of the woman that caught him like a fly. She was quite the looker, and as much as he was scared in her grasp, he never felt so exhilarated.

---

Jamie found herself out the next afternoon near where she caught the park ranger cleaning up her lines from the trees. It was pleasantly cloudy, just enough to not be dreary. Whenever she found a spider either adding her line or using her lines are their own she smiled and let them be not wanting to hurt a fellow arachnid. She never told mom or dad that her extending her lines beyond the prescribed boundaries is what caught Jeff. She wanted to impress them with how much more prey she caught, but all she caught was trouble.

Although, she had to confess that fellow Jeff was a rather cute for a human. She felt bad about injecting him with her venom. The poor dear was just scared like any other animal that is tangled in her family's web. Although, it was probably for both their good that she tranquilized him.

Jamie sighed and tired to think about other things while she worked. She giggled at the memory this morning of mom calling her daughter then blushing. She never understood why her elder was so embarrassed about their relationship. Well, she did from a human perspective, but they were all driders now after all.

She was happy that mom was wearing the silk dress she wove herself more often instead of those human clothes, but Mom would never get rid of that bandanna of hers. When they got into a little spat about her bringing Jeff to the larder soon after he left, Arch went out and returned this morning with a hat that was wet because he said he washed it in the creek. It said "I am in my element". Mom hugged dad's neck before giving him a long kiss. It is always so cute to see them like that since he is shorter.

Now that Jamie thought about clothing, maybe it would be a good idea to make gloves for her family. Her fingers were covered in small scratches and bruises. Maybe some hand protection could do them some benefit. However, how to have it where they were not just sticking to everything they touch like some sort of cartoon...

Jamie was so lost in thought she did not hear the footsteps behind her. She did hear the audible cough from beneath her. She glanced down and was so surprised at who she saw she dropped all the lines that she was presently carrying. Jeff stood beneath her with a grin. However, this time he was not in uniform. He wore hiking boots, a sleeveless red shirt, and khaki shorts. In his right hand, there was a plastic grocery sack over his shoulder.

"Hey there!" He shouted up waving.

Jamie attached a line to the tree branch she was on so she could rappel down. Dad made it look so easy with his small frame, but she was getting the hang of it. She gave herself an 8.4 on the landing and went over to Jeff still gawking at the sight of him. Why in the world would he come back here?

Jeff laughed at her speechlessness putting his free hand into his pocket, "I'm off duty, so no one cares about where I am at right now."

Jamie finally recovered crossing her arms looking at him partly confused but also happy to see him, "That so? So why aren't you out at a bar or a strip club or something?"

Jeff gave a mocking laugh, "Ha. Ha. Because, believe it or not, guys are capable of doing other stuff with their time besides drinking and sex."

Jamie snickered, "Likely story."

The off-duty ranger laughed for real this time, "I came because…"

"Because?" Jamie motioned for him to go on.

"Because, because I wanted to see you again." Jeff finished looking downward in an attempt to cover his blushing.

Jamie giggled from both disbelief and amusement crossing her arms and then raising her right hand to rest her chin on.

"Fine, I'll confess okay!" The ranger shouted throwing his arms up, "I like being wrapped up like you had me last night."

He lowered his arms calming down, "Sure it was scary, but it was also the most exciting thing I have ever experienced."

Jamie was floored by this. It was certainly the last thing she expected, "And you came back just so I can wrap you up again?"

He sighed crossing his arms as he shifted around uncomfortably, "N... no. I also wanted to see you again in person to just talk."

Now it was Jamie's turn to blush, "Oh stop!"

Jeff flashed a genuine smile looking happy that he got that weight off his chest. The drideress sized him up focusing on the bag, "What's in the bag."

"Oh," Jeff handed it to her, "Some stuff I thought you could use. I didn't know what you'd need, so I got a bunch of different stuff."

Jamie went through the bag. Conditioner, shampoo, deodorant, chap sticks, and sunglasses for each member of the family! Jamie beamed, "Wow! This is… amazing. Thank you Jeff!"

Jeff shrugged smiling, "Eh, it's the least I could do for you sticking up for me. If there is anything you need then let me know."

"Well," Jamie said as she took some webbing from her abdomen to seal the bag, and placed the bag upon her abdomen for safe keeping. She then gave it a few seconds of good thought before answering, "Well, we could use some gloves most of all I think. I remember they made some that were both form fitting and flexible."

Jeff nodded making a mental note. Jamie continued as she counted off with her fingers: "I'd at least like to chew some gum again. Some sun screen would be nice so we could go out and sunbathe every once and awhile. Also, I would not mind a deck of cards as sometimes it can get a little dull around here- maybe also Monopoly and Battleship."

Jeff chuckled, "No one in history has finished a game of Monopoly."

"You imagine being in a place with no electricity at all during a five hour storm. I bet I could win three games of it." Jamie retorted teasingly, "On the subject of no electricity, I would like a few flashlights and a good supply of batteries."

Jeff crossed his arms looking bemused, "Would you like me to bring a George Foreman Grill and some steaks as well? I only have another million to spare under my mattress."
She gave him a playful shove, "You don't have to bring it all at once. The gloves would be a good start."

Jeff smiled, "I will get you all that, but you need to do something for me in return."

"What?" Jamie asked curiously.

Jeff slowly laid out in the grass clearly trying to keep from beaming, "Cocoon me like to did before."

Jamie rolled her eyes giggling, "You are desperate for it aren't you. Did my venom make you high?"

Jeff shook his head, "I've never been in a clearer state of mind in my life."

Jamie smiled and scurried over him, "Deja vu."

Jamie posed the completely compliant Jeff's. She crossed his arms over his chest making sure they were laid flat. Then she pulled a strand of silk from her abdomen and placed it across his hands pinning them to his chest. She giggled at his playful efforts to push against the silk, "Still as strong as it ever was. But I imagine you aren't complaining."
The off duty ranger shook his head, "Nope, in fact, I was hoping to negotiate with you guys."

She held his legs together with her second set of legs, and used the third set to pull out webbing from her abdomen. She applied the wet, sticky webbing between his legs to hold them together, "Oh? What about?"

He lay there as she tucked webbing "I want to see if you guys could help me with rangering and stuff." Jeff asked.

Jamie rubbed webbing over his mouth gagging him, "Hold that thought."

Jeff closed his eyes as the drideress rolled him around working with mechanical efficiency. Jamie finished weaving Jeff into a cocoon with a bit of artistic flourish by signing her initials over his waist. She examined her work filled with pride since a more cooperative wrappee. She rubbed the sides of the cocoon wrapped snuggly around the Ranger like a sleeping bag. Really, the drideress impressed herself. She then took off his gag, "Sorry, I didn't want any dirt to get in your mouth."

"Yeah sure." Jeff rubbed his mouth against his shoulder to get any stray webbing, "What was it they say about black widows and males?"

Jamie placed her left hand upon his chest and leaned down rubbing his cheek with her right one, "That's a misconception. You see, the only black widow that eats the male is one where the male throws himself to the female for strength in childbirth."

Jeff sighed apologetically, "Sorry, I didn't know."

Jamie shrugged, "It's no problem."

They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments neither wanting to be the first to speak. Suddenly, Jamie locked lips with Jeff that caused the wrapped human's eyes to widen in surprise. The off duty ranger returned the favor with mutual passion. For what felt like an eternity, the two were lost together in sublimity. Their warmth filled each other. Regardless of how they were separate prior to this moment, for now they were one.

---

Meanwhile, Emilia and Arch were in the main chamber of the larder tidying things up. Arch volunteered himself to climb up the walls and ceiling to examine the webs of the larder to ensure its integrity. While he was amongst their supply of food, he checked any of the cocoons that were not wriggling as much to make sure that they were still alive.

Emilia was in charge of making a back up door that would cover the entrance of the larder in case the other one was destroyed and they needed the larder sealed. Arch explained that excess rainwater getting into the larder had to be avoided at all costs. Emilia needed to stitch together a bunch of branches and twings she gathered, and then cover them with rocks to make the door look a bit more natural to prying eyes.

As she worked, all she could think about was that park ranger and how they as a family handled the situation. She admired Jamie's courage and holding her ground, and wondered if Arch went overboard on the intimidation. For all their effort in trying to portray themselves as harmless, Arch promising to suck the poor boy's guts out was less than subtle.

The drideress took a break and went down to the lower chambers of the caves where their hammocks were. She walked over to the corner where she kept her personal belongings in a webbing sack. Emilia opened the folds of the sack giggling at the memory of her making her first web sack for her things. She weaved it more like an egg because she was paranoid about the cave's moisture and its effect on the books. Any time she wanted to get her things she had to break it; then fix it. However, Arch taught her how to make a bag out of webbing that could be opened and closed so she wouldn't have to break it every day.

Emilia looked into the sack. She saw her sappy romance novels (such guilty pleasures, then again at least Arch never could know that she once loved Barney the Dinosaur). Also, not too long ago before the incident with the park ranger Arch gave her a few more books nicked from the ranger station and detailed the flora and fauna of the park. She held her hat that she lost when she first met Arch in front of her. She whispered the words that were inscribed onto it, "I am in my element."

"Are you?" She heard Arch's voice in her ear. Emilia jumped and turned around to see Arch dangling from the ceiling looking over her shoulder with that accursed knowing smile of his.

Emilia sighed recovering from the fright, "Do you enjoy scaring me that much?"

Arch grinned like a schoolboy, "Only a little."

Emilia rolled her eyes like a schoolgirl, "Of course."

Arch let himself down to the floor and he went over to Emilia his wide grin receding to that of his normal jolly self, "But, seriously, do you still feel as if that statement is true?"

Emilia could tell he went into what she dubbed 'sincere mode', and she placed her prized hat back in the bag and resealed it, "I'd say..."

She faced Arch again with a coy smile, "Yes, I'd say that I am in my element more than I'd like to admit."

Arch raised a brow and crossed his arms, "More than you'd like to admit?"

She nodded and motioned to herself and the larder, "All of this was… rather unexpected. I didn't wake up one morning and imagine I'd be here."

"Okay." Arch said nodding in understanding. His lips shifted from a smile to a thin line.

"But," Emilia held up a finger, "I don't mind the change because while it was difficult at first to transition, I made it because I had a compassionate person to guide me. Then, when I felt so low that I thought I might jump off a cliff another came into our lives to brighten it even more! The day to day fight to survive became background to the fact that I had Jamie and you to help get me through it."

Arch placed a hand on Emilia's shoulder and he flashed her favorite kind of smile from him, one of passionate empathy. It made her feel giddy inside to behold the elusive expression from her mate.

"It took me some time to adjust to the life I chose out of desperation. However, I found it more rewarding than anything I had ever done." He said with upmost sincerity, "My darkest hour was not being held by the one I would call mate, but losing her and finding myself alone. Nothing but my own animalistic determination to survive carried me through those dark times. I was afraid I'd lose myself."

Emilia hugged his neck drawing him close into a warm embrace. Arch accepted the compassionate embrace and returned it in spades, "Emilia, I should stop comparing you to my past mate as if you are better or worse. Do not misunderstand; you are exactly like her in every way."

Emilia replied with a kiss upon Arch's lips. For what felt like an eternity the two were lost together in sublimity. Regardless of how they were separate prior to this moment, for now they were one.