He watches me from his hiding spot in the shadows. Fear creeps through me, spreading like a vicious cancer. It seeps from within the depths of my being and sinks into my bones. I want to run, but I'm frozen—paralyzed in a state of motionless shock. The feeling of dread washes over me, suffocating me with every breath. My stomach churns in violent knots as sweat beads trickle down my forehead.

Suddenly, I remember a PowerPoint I watched one time in Health class about fight or flight. So I ask myself: Will I run away like a coward? Will I stand here frozen and do nothing? Waiting like a fool for the inevitable? My answer is no. With one swift motion, I retrieve the weapon I had tossed aside last night onto my bedside table. I move quickly, advancing carefully to deny him the opportunity to lunge at me. Splat!! That dreadful spider meets its demise under the vengeance of my book. "Yuck," I mutter to myself with a frown. I grab a Kleenex, wipe its guts off my book, and place it neatly back on the bedside table. Like a boss. ☠️