Through an Innocent's Eyes

This scene is yet another retelling of a scene from a movie. However, I think this part is important and I'll try to make it as original as possible.

Ch. 9: Sign of Love

James yawned softly and rubbed at his eyes. He didn't know what time it was, but he did know that he was very tired. But then again, the day had been long and full of excitement and now the little boy was ready for sleep. Perched on a large leaf set in the center of Miss Spider's web, James tried to keep his eyes open long enough for Miss Spider to finish spinning the web that would be his bed for the night.

"You keep to yourself, don't you," James asked Miss Spider. She smiled slightly at James and continued her work.

"I prefer to be alone," she replied.

"I was alone for a long time once," James said. "I think it's much nicer to have friends, don't you?"

"I would not know," Miss Spider said honestly; she did not want to tell this innocent little boy that had she met the other insects before the green things had found them all, she'd probably have hunted them.

"They'd be your friends too, the others, I mean. If you'd just let them." Miss Spider smiled again, though this time fully. She felt strong affection tug at her heart for this sweet little child who was far wiser than his aunts gave him credit for.

"No, ii is in their nature to have fear of me. This I cannot change."

"You're very kind to me," James said softly. And it was true; Miss Spider was very kind to James. Of course, the other five bugs took good care of him too, but here in the peach at night, James felt safe under Miss Spider's care.

"Maybe this is because you are kind to me first." James started a bit as Miss Spider, having finished her web, reached out and grasped James gently around his middle. James was not used to any physical contact outside of being hit, but Miss Spider merely guided him to lie down on the leaf and as she did, James suddenly realized something.

"You were the spider in my window!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. Miss Spider, who was reaching to her back for a silk thread, paused and then nodded.

"Mm-hmm," she affirmed, nodding. She began to weave the threads over the little boy, smiling at his words.

"You were my first friend! I mean, since I went to live with my aunts." James voice suddenly took on a more melancholy tone and his eyes clouded. "They hated me!"

"Ssshhh," Miss Spider soothed, laying a gentle finger across James's lips. "Do not think of them now." She kept her voice low and smiled lovingly at James before continuing her weaving.

James, however, could not shake the thoughts of his aunts from his mind. They were, after all, a constant terror in his life and neither the memories in his mind nor the bruises on his arms would let him forget it.

"But what if they find us?" he asked. "What if we don't make it to New York?" Suddenly very nervous, James sat up just as Miss Spider finished covering the lower half of his body with silk thread. She tucked the last bit around him as James spoke again.

"I'll die if I have to go back to the way I was," the little boy declared with all the vigor of a terrified child trying to be brave. And though James was courageous, he was still very young, very tired, and very scared. He felt tears behind his eyes and covered his face with his hands. "They can't make me..." he murmured miserable.

"Nobody can make you do anything, James..." Miss Spider said suddenly. She grasped James's left hand tightly in her own gloved hand while supporting his head with her other hand. For a brief moment, the two of them stayed perfectly still, then Miss Spider tenderly laid James back down.

"... if you do not let them," she finished, keeping her voice at a soothing whisper. James, although still nervous, suddenly felt better. For some reason, he felt as though he were safe at home although he knew he was farther away from his home than he had ever been in his life. The small child watched through half-closed eyes as Miss Spider reached for his coat, which she then draped over him, covering the little boy completely.

"You are a brave boy," she told him. Miss Spider surveyed her work carefully, making sure that James would be nice and warm throughout the night. James looked back up at her, his small face suddenly full of innocent joy. Really, all children needed was a little love. But for the longest time, James had been deprived of the love he so richly deserved and instead forced into a life of pain and despair.

To James's surprise, Miss Spider leaned down, placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed his forehead lovingly. "Now to sleep," she told him, smiling and lightly tapping his lips once more. She began backing up towards a large pipe jutting out of the peach flesh. "You have had a very tired-making day," shed added.

Miss Spider blew out the candle that was placed by the pipe, gave James one last fond look, and laid down. James watched her, completely content. The little boy yawned softly and looked up at the circle of sky that was just above him thanks to the open hatch in the ceiling. The white moonbeams washed over his face, illuminating his small face. James smiled; for the first time in a long time, he felt safe, happy, and loved. For now, he did not fear his aunts finding him, nor did he fear not being worth anything. James had been given the love he so desperately needed and that was enough. As the moonlight fell away from his face, James's brown eyes slowly closed until they shut completely and the little boy fell prey to sleep.