Toxic Part 1 ....Spider and Prey

Your lips speak
Wordless mysteries;
Your eyes voice silent truths;
Our lives opaque—
Windows black, blinds drawn—
Afraid of what might escape.

I was drawn to Ari as countless others before me by her dark looks and sylph-like grace—but at the same time, I was repulsed as well

Ari’s full name, Ariadne, reminded me of Arachne in the Greek myth who defied the goddess Athena and was turned into a spider.

Ari always struck me in that way—spider-like and devious—especially with men. She was always spinning webs, hatching plots and that was probably why although she and I dated briefly in college, I ended up choosing Meredith Lennox, her rival, instead.

Ari really never forgave me seeing my decision as an unforgettable affront to her.

Although we moved in the same social circles, I managed to avoid Ari’s simmering hatred and barbed comments, until my assignment editor insisted I obtain an interview with Victor Russet, the world-renowned illusionist, and coincidentally, Ari’s uncle.

“I don’t care how you do it, just do it,” the editor declared.

Interviewing Victor Russet would be an impossible task unless I went through Ari.

Under ordinary circumstances I would be delighted to meet Victor Russet.

He had a distinguished career in the British army rising through the ranks from drill sergeant to attain the rank of colonel before he retired.

After retirement, he added to his mystique as the world’s most interesting man by making a name for himself as a spellbinding illusionist, often being mentioned in the same breath as David Copperfield or Houdini.

So, like it or not, the only way to interview Uncle Victor was to go through his niece, Ari.

“I can’t believe you’re engaged to Meredith Lennox, Theo—I expected more from you.”

Ari’s bitterness was dripping from her lips like spider’s venom.

I invited her to play tennis as a gesture to break the ice between us, but so far my plan wasn’t working.

“Look, Ari, I invited you out today in the hope of ending our rift. Can’t we just put all this behind us and be friends?”

“We can,” she teased, with a sly gleam in her eye, “if you tell me what you really want. I know there’s something you haven’t told me.”

I was caught like a rat in a trap and there was nothing to do but come clean.

“I really do want to reconcile with you, Ari, but you’re right—there’s something else I need. I’d like you to arrange an interview with your uncle.”

I steeled myself for her backlash, but surprisingly, it didn’t come.

“See? I knew there was something more. Why are men so afraid to be direct?”

I hung my head in shame.

“You know, Theo, I ought to hate you, but I don’t. I’m over that now. I should scorn you and send you away, but we do move in the same social circles and we should be adult—even about this regrettable faux pas. To show there are no hard feelings, I’ll speak to Uncle Victor and contact you with his answer.”

I thanked her profusely, trying not to fawn or appease her too much—and I especially tried to hide my self-satisfied smile.

I feigned penitence, hung my head in shame and muttered, “Thank you, Ari.”

Her smug smile told me I’d soon be interviewing Uncle Victor, but my instincts warned me she was dangerous...

Noiseless, patient spiders always are.

To be continued…

© 2025, John J Geddes. All rights reserved

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