James Erith - Spider Web Powder

One

Daisys Eyes

Archie extended his arms and pushed out a sleepy yawn. Where were the purple curtains at the end of his bed? Where were the thick oak beams supporting the roof of the attic room that he shared with his sisters, Isabella and Daisy? What about the red drape that hung down like a Bedouin tent?

As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he noted the grey, jagged rocks curving above him like a bad set of teeth, and was instantly reminded of the previous days horrors.

Archie lay quite still, filtering the curious sand he was lying on through his fingers. Was this part of a dream? Was he even alive?

He moved his head to investigate.

Nestled into the walls were three ledges, like shallow troughs. These were the stone beds Archie and his sisters had sought refuge in last night to escape the storm. Now, they, like him, were stirring.

Moments later, a burst of steam erupted from the circular pool in the middle of the cave where hot water bubbled gently. As he stared, the surface glimmered from what he suspected were a multitude of fluorescent minerals.

Archie hazily remembered how their beaten and cut bodies were soothed and healed by this small pool. But even now his memories of last night were vague. Archie could only recall fragmented scenes, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

His curiosity aroused, Archie moved his eyes around the cave, increasingly astonished by what he saw. He stumbled off his bed, rubbed his face, and attempted to smooth down his hair.

His baffled expression made his older sister Isabella chuckle from her bed along the wall.

Your hair took on a new form, remember? It is now irretrievably spiky, she said, the words echoing more dramatically than either had expected. The result of being hit by a lightning bolt. Remember?

Trust Isabella to remember more than he could. He grunted a response and headed to the bubbling pool, wafting his hand at a cloud of steam that billowed into the high roof.

Archie dangled his feet and ankles in the bubbles. Soon, a sparkly feeling fizzled up his torso. He cupped his hands and drank a draught of the water, washed his face and splashed his strange, hard hair.

I dont suppose theres anything for breakfast? he said, more in hope than expectation.

Theres another apple each, Old Man Wood said. The old man was like a grandfather to the three siblings, and Archie remembered how hed come to their rescue last night.

Archie picked his way over the rocky, undulating grey floor and sat down next to him. Old Man Wood had found each one of them at deaths door after the violent storm and carried each one from the ledge into a sandy pit in this cave. Overnight, the pit had filled with water as the floodwaters had risen over the height of the ledge outside.

The cave entrance opposite filtered-in a hazy morning light, which appeared to ripple as he stared at it. For a brief moment, he wondered if a kind of see-through crystal-like substance had miraculously grown up in front of the caves mouth, holding up a body of moving water behind it.

Old Man Wood handed Archie a small, perfectly formed apple from his large, weathered, and leathery hands.

Archie chomped hungrily and began to take in the caveman art that stretched all the way around the stony walls. He spotted three distinct human figures drawn with firm strokes, but others, he reckoned, looked more like stick men or animals. Some images were upright, others were lying down as if the figures were dead.

Do you guys remember these pictures from last night? he asked.

Daisy and Isabella were stretching their arms wide and yawning and didnt answer.

Archie searched further into the cave. Bit of a classic, he murmured. This could be interesting.

Whats up, Archie? Daisy said, sleepily.

We have a problem, he said. In fact, we have quite a few.

His twin, Daisy, yawned. Expand, bro.

Well, yeah, he started, not quite knowing what to say. Lets start with how we get out of this cave.

Daisy tittered. Seriously?

Archie raised his eyebrows. Yeah. Its sealed itself off I think.

Daisy ambled over to the pool and splashed her face. Rubbish

No, he said. Look at the entrance, I think its blocked.

Daisy repeated the action this time dunking her entire head in the pool. Of course theres a way out. No way can we be stuck.

Archie wondered if she knew something he didnt. Have you seen the paintings? he said, changing the subject.

Cool, arent they, Daisy said. Quite like Picasso.

What are you talking about?

The artist, Picasso. Im sure Ive seen stuff of his just like this.

Archies eyes bulged. Really, Daisy?

Yup. Simple, abstract lines. That kind of thing, she replied.

Oh, he said, wondering when Daisy had become so knowledgeable about modern art. I thought they might be a kind of guide? he said. What do you think? He continued to study the outlines. He noticed oblong-shaped objects and lines of repetitive strokes like shadows.

Soon, Daisy and their older sister Isabella joined him. After a short while, Isabellas continual glancing towards her younger sister finally made Daisy snap.

What! she cried.

Nothing! Isabella replied.

Well, stop doing that.

Doing what?

Looking at me. Weirdly.

Isabella moved closer and shuffled from one foot to the other. Actually, Daisy, she said, as she examined her sisters pretty face, Your eyes are

What about them?

Well. I mean I think

Daisy turned away, her face reddening.

No, seriously, Daisy. Look at me.

Why? she said, her tone betraying her concern. She looked up.

Isabella leaned in. Youve done something to your eyes

No, I havent. Theyre absolutely fine, she said rubbing them and blinking rapidly as if to prove it. Whats the big deal?

Archie joined in and whistled. Bells is right, Daisy.

Maybe its a just a trick of the light, Isabella said, as if Daisy couldnt hear. Hey, Old Man Wood. Come and check this out.

Seriously? Daisy cried, flummoxed by all the attention. Stop it, both of you.

Old Man Wood shuffled closer and gazed at her too. The three of them leaned over her.

Thing is, Daisy, Archie said, your eyes really are... different.

Different?

Yeah, very.

I need a mirror, Daisy said, looking around.

You wont find one here, sis, Archie said. Its hardly the place

Listen dudes. I really dont care. But please, stop looking at me

Archies eyes narrowed. I cant help ittheyre red.

Isabella agreed. Ruby red.

Red? Daisy queried.

Archie nodded.

Dont be silly. My eyes are perfectly fine. Theres nothing wrong

Actually, Isabella said, its more cerise

Or scarlet blending into burgundy? Archie added.

Theyre a red-apple-colour in my opinion, Old Man Wood said, thoughtfully.

Chilli-red, possibly, Isabella added. Like a vampire.

This time they all nodded.

Tip of my tongue, Archie said. But Id run with Old Man Woods description. Its definitely more of a red-apple-colour.

Look, Daisy said, flustered. Maybe its from the chemicals in the healing water in the pool