Chapter 10
A week later, the sliglets were watching Spider put the finishing touches on his pants. Out of the four, only Ner seemed to be truly interested.
“Will they work?” Ner asked.
“If I did everythin’ right they should.” Spider said as he looked the pants over one last time.
“And if they don’t?”
“If not, then I’ll have ter figure out why. There that should der it…”
Spider put away his tools and maneuvered himself so he could slip into the pants. As he slipped in, he lost his balance and fell flat onto his face. This brood burst out in laughter.
“Aw quiet…” Spider grumbled as he picked himself up, “It’s been awhile.”
“Sorry Spider.” Bas said, still giggling.
One the second attempt, Spider was able to get in. He took a deep breath and tried to get them to move. They did.
“They work!” Spider said before letting out a howl of victory. His brood cheered and climbed up onto his shoulders. It was then that Spider realized something: not long ago, all four could have sat on just one shoulder if they wanted too. Now, only two can fit on one shoulder, even with Rik, who was the smallest.
They are gettin’ big. he thought, What am I goin’ ter der once they are full grown?
It felt weird to be in pants again. Spider had been going without for so long that he had almost forgotten how to use them. He was getting some surprised looks as he walked through the village in them.
“Well now…” he heard Bea say, “Now I see why they called you ‘Spider’.”
“Yep.” Spider said with a chuckle as he turned toward her. “Jus’ takin’ them fer a test run. Still got some kinks ter work out.”
“I’m surprised you were able to get them working at all, considering the shape they were in.”
“Ya I know. It feels kind of weird ter be in them again. Guess I got use ter movin’ ‘bout without ‘em. But then I wasn’t expectin’ ter find them again either.”
“That is true.” Bea said with a nod, “I’ve also noticed that your little brood ain’t so ‘little’ anymore.”
“Ya…” Spider said sadly, “They’re growin’ up so fast…I…I’m not sure what I’ll der with myself once they move out on their own.”
“I’m sure you will find something. Maybe you can do night patrol, since you have best night vision, plus your darker skin color makes it hard to see you in the shadows.”
“Yer got a point there…” Spider said with a smile.
“Talk to Drek when you get a chance, I’m sure he’ll be happy to give you a shift.”
“Thanks Bea…I will.”
|