My family and friends have been living in this house and neighborhood since 1972. I remember hearing my parents and my friend’s parents tell us all about what it was like when the houses were built and how they watched from the empty fields, waiting to see what they would be like when they were finally finished.

No two were alike!

The house my parents chose is two stories. It’s attached by the garage to the family’s house next door. So, there would be no reason to ever hear each other.

They moved in while it was still being built. They mainly stayed in the loft. It was a bit dark, but it was cozy and would serve as a base for everyone for the time being.

It was an active, busy house when the family finally moved in.

There were so many of us, plus the two boys, along with Mary and John.

My parents lived such a long life in the house. There were so many of us children. The house was filled from top to bottom. From the loft to the garage. It was as if we were coming out of every crack in the floor and overlooking every room.

As with all families, there’s a dawn and then the night comes. Our parents and many of the parents passed away quietly. Wrapped in webs of love and surrounded by family and friends.

We, the children, took over the house after that. There were always so many of us.

The two boys grew into happy smart young men. One went off to an art school nearby. The younger of the two went off and became a scientist. Everyone was so proud.

And then one day, I overheard a phone call between Mary and the older of the two boys. Mary and John had decided to move away to Spain. She said, “We found a beautiful apartment in Benidorm. We’re going to move next month!” She said with a giggle. “You and your girlfriend can move in. So that the house stays in the family!”

I was in shock. What would become of the house? We all depend on them and each other in so many ways!!

I ran to tell everyone! Along with me, we wondered what would happen. We have lived in this house for so long. I was told that I always overreact and that the oldest was always looking after things and nothing would change.

Mary and John kept busy making moving arrangements, packing, taking online Spanish classes, and finalizing their paperwork.

The boys came by and helped pack the moving truck.

It was a sad day seeing them leave, but honestly, there are so many of us, that it would still be a busy and lively home.

The oldest started moving his things in. Cleaning, which was not very well, but we kept out of the way and it worked out better that way. The less underfoot the better for us all.

Saturday afternoon he brought his girlfriend over. None of us ever liked her. We always kept out of the way. She is so extra ridiculous. Everything makes her jump, squirm, and screech. Where did he find this one from?

The others before her were always more outgoing and loved being out and about. Fishing, hiking, bike riding, camping. Sometimes some of us would go along with them. Either he didn’t notice or didn’t care.

But, this one! It’s hard to believe she’s ever been outside. We just keep out of the way when she’s around.

And then one day I heard a scream that made my legs shake.

You would think that something awful happened.

She just saw a few of us hanging around and got mad. He said, “Why are you afraid of them? They’re just little. They don’t hurt anyone.”

Awful girlfriend screamed, “It’s our house and I want them out!”

“They never hurt anyone. They’re just small. We all live together peacefully.”

We thought that was the end of it. And then one day, a man that we’d seen in town before, who was known for being no good, was on the front doorstep.

 I could hear that female, I refuse to say her name, say, “I just want to get rid of them. I don’t care if I have to burn the house down.”

Surely, he wouldn’t think the same way! He was going camping with his friends this weekend, and I’m sure when he comes back, he’ll talk her out of doing anything silly.

He left Friday after work.

Saturday morning, she woke up earlier than usual. Her best friend came over before lunchtime. Together they covered the furniture and closed the windows with plastic.

They both wore face masks and went from room to room with small metal canisters. I could hear a clicking sound, each time before they would run out of the rooms. After the last click, they both ran from the house, locked the door, took their masks off, and took deep breaths of fresh air.

With smiles, they got in a car and drove away.

And then the smoke came. It started in the loft, and every room after that was filled with smoke. It quickly spread within the house. Every room was filled with white billowing smoke from floor to ceiling.

Did the crazy woman really light the house on fire!? No, it wasn’t a fire. It was something worse. It was poison. She was poisoning all of us!!

It was so smoky we all scattered and ran in every direction. I couldn’t see anyone. I decided to find a corner and be still. I would look for everyone when the smoke settled.

I can’t say when it all became clear again. I walked around. Up and down the house in every corner. Who wasn’t dead was dying. Some made it outside and were slowly dying in the fresh air.

What has she done to all of us? He would never have approved of this! Never! We’ve all lived here, in this house, on this street, forever. Our ancestors have been on this land forever. I do know some of us can be scary and yes, even dangerous. But most of us are safe and just going about our business.

I feel weak from the mist that still hangs in the air. My legs are weak and I can just about crawl out of the way when I hear the front door open. She’s back with her friend.

Through the muffled voice due to the mask she was wearing, I heard her confess, “I had to wait for him to go away this weekend. He would never have let me do this,” she said to her friend. “Nature belongs outside. If I want to see nature, I’ll buy flowers. Better yet, someone will buy flowers for me.” Both she and her friend laughed.

They ran from room to room, opening the windows and uncovering the furniture.

The fresh air was billowing in. When he got home, she would pretend it was just like any other day. He would never know of her ruthlessness and the damage she had done.

I was just starting to get my bearings when I heard a scream. It was her best friend.

She clutched her bag to her chest and started to run outside.

“It’s okay! Calm down.”

And then everything went black.

“I effing hate spiders!!”