Welcome to the world of LEXI

CHAPTER 1

“Don’t go far, Hun.”

“I won’t, Mamma!”, Lexi said with a smile over her shoulder as she scampered through the grass.

It was a beautiful autumn day, the air was crisp and fresh. Every living thing was bright and blooming, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Butterflies danced in the light breeze, bees buzzed happily from one flower to another, and the sky was as blue as a sky could be.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as Lexi approached the creek up ahead. She loved to sit and watch it flow. Where did it all come from? Where was it going?

She gathered up a leaf and settled in her favorite spot on top of a smooth gray rock. She held the leaf carefully over the flowing stream, watching it dance just over the surface. She could feel the pull of air from the flowing water tugging at the leaf, beckoning for a ride, then she released it.

A split second later it was gone, whisked away by the current. She watched it weave a path through the stones and roots until disappearing far off in the distance. Lexi closed her eyes, imagining she was riding the leaf. Where is it now? What did it see?

She remained in the daydream for a while, her smiling face turned into the warm sunlight, then it was time to fetch another leaf. She climbed down from the rock and had just found one when a noise caught her attention. It came from a nearby chock of weeds growing on the bank of the stream. They were thick and tall, their tops gently swaying.

She approached slowly, the little voice in her head whispering caution. She strained to see in the deep shadows of the stalks where no light could penetrate. Then a faint glint of color flashed from within and was gone. She peered at the spot for a long moment but couldn't see anything more. Lexi was just about to give up, writing it off to imagination, then saw it again. This time clearly! It was a long, pretty yellowish-orange band floating in the reeds. She began working her way towards the colorful strip.

Just then another appeared! Now there were two colorful bands. She paused, looking from one to the next. The voice of caution in her head now screaming. Her mom had always said she was too curious for her own good. She moved closer to the two pretty bands and gently touched one of them. Running her hand along the surface, it didn’t feel the same as the surrounding reeds and grass. She lightly tapped on it, nothing happened. Tapped a little harder and felt how solid it was. She grabbed it with two of her arms and pulled, but it didn’t budge. She added another set of arms, yet couldn’t bend it?!

Her little brow furrowed as she studied this strange plant, so deep in thought she didn’t notice the movement above her. Only the large shadow passing overhead brought Lexi out of the daze. She looked up, still grasping the strange orange band, at the hideous jaws of an Assassin spider smiling down at her.

“Well, well, what do we have here?”  The Assassin whispered in a deep, rumbling voice that she felt as much as heard.

Lexi stared in horror at the massive dragon-shaped head looming above, a small cry escaping her lips.

The giant leaned in a little closer, “No, no, don’t tell me!  Let me guess..” His shiny black eyes gleamed with amusement.

“Let's see: you're tiny.. bright green.. and completely defenseless. Hmm, now WHAT could you be?”, he said mockingly, drumming two deadly spiked arms on his cheek.

“Oh, I got it!”, feigning excitement and leaning in close.

The smile widened, exposing large fangs that glistened in the sunlight. Lexi was frozen stiff with terror, unable to will herself to run.. run home as fast as she can!

“Lunch.”, he whispered.

The Assassin’s smile faded as he poised to strike. She saw the enormous creature shifting subtly between the reeds, the freakishly long neck, the massive elongated body held up by thick powerful legs. It was then Lexi realized she was grasping one of them and went numb.

Acting on impulse, still firmly holding his leg, there was only one thing left to do. With the speed and strength of desperation, she bit his leg as hard as she could. He never saw that coming and reflexively flinched, pausing his attack. She couldn't hurt him, naturally, but it was so unexpected. That split second afforded Lexi enough time to make a dash for it. The chase was on.

Back-tracking her steps, she scrambled as fast as her little legs would carry her. Yet, despite moving quicker than she ever had before, the Assassin was coming up fast. She was no match for him.

His terrible, deep growl was getting closer by the second. The ground shook with his every step. She broke out of the reeds and dashed back towards the creek, unable to risk heading home and bringing this monster with her. Unsure of her next move but left with little choice she raced for her favorite spot.

In one swift move, she swept up a leaf and leapt off the large rock into the flowing creek below, the jaws of the Assassin spider snapping lethally shut just behind her.

Flying through the air she thought about all the time spent dreaming of sailing this stream, watching the world pass by without a care. Of course, she never really thought to do it - it was only a silly dream. Then she hit.

The water was cold. Lexi clutched madly to the leaf, gasping for air as she was tossed and turned in the churning creek.  Blurs of color were all she could see, the roar of the rushing water was deafening. She could not hear the Assassin standing on the bank, howling in anger at losing his lunch.

Every second in the icy current took her further from home. She had no idea how long she'd been in the water but knew she wouldn’t last much longer. Treacherous roots and stones flew past, she was completely at the mercy of the creek.

Up ahead, a waterfall emptied into a small pool. It was the last thing Lexi saw before being thrown into a rock. Her body went limp, the leaf slipped from her grasp and was gone. Barely conscious, with no strength left in her to fight, she went tumbling over the small waterfall, letting the current pull her under into the darkness below.

It was peaceful here, she thought, calm and quiet. Memories of home, family and friends filled her mind.

Her eyes closed softly as the last breath escaped her lips.