sifting through ruins

Spider goes willingly as Strai pulls them close, just barely resisting the urge to get to their feet and continue pacing. they don’t entirely trust themselves not to run back home, though they know they’d only be making the situation worse. that doesn’t make it any easier to just sit here, however. Spider chews viciously on the flesh of their cheek, using the pain as an anchor. they’re practically vibrating - with fear, with urgency, with anger. at least Strai’s rumbling voice provides some sense of comfort. “you’re right,” they murmur, pushing aside a sense of betrayal. even in the wake of this terrible revelation, it doesn’t change all the ways they’ve been let down.

the unfairness of it all feels like it’s rising up to choke Spider, squeezing thick tendrils around their heart and chest. it’s as though their every opportunity to heal, to regain faith in the world, keeps getting ripped away from them - and their sense of self keeps warping along with it. “you’ve known the truth all along, Strai: the world is fucked.” it’s said with finality, a conclusion reached. the last remnants of childhood have fled.

"Araneae Fatalis"