Dangerous

Imagine you've caught the eye of someone very dangerous. Someone with a huge number of hands to touch you, and poison to harm you. But it trusts you. Trusts you with its mischievous little life.

The creature's hands glide lovingly over yours. Time after time, they touch the tender spots on your skin, promising to use their weapons in the future. You feel a tickle — a deceptive, evil, and mocking sensation. But your friend isn't mocking; they're promising a bona fide deal in which you both become each other's fears. You fear ugliness, and your friend fears death. But you must protect your little brother, and that will deter you from betraying. Your friend won't be deterred.

Someday I'll get a centipede.